Accessing the Government Kick Start Scheme

Earlier in the Autumn the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, set out an ambitious "Plan for Jobs" as part of the Government's response to the challenges posed by COVID-19.

The "Plan for Jobs" contains a number of measures and incentives aimed at encouraging employers to take advantage of the skills development opportunities available, one of these is the Kickstart Scheme.

You can use the Kickstart Scheme to create new 6-month job placements for young people who are currently on Universal Credit and at risk of long-term unemployment. The job placements should support the participants to develop the skills and experience they need to find work after completing the scheme.

Funding is available for 100% of the relevant National Minimum Wage for 25 hours a week, plus associated employer National Insurance contributions and employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions. There is also £1,500 per job placement available for setup costs, support and training.

Find a Kickstart Gateway - Click here

If you're creating fewer than 30 job placements, use this service to find a Kickstart gateway to apply for a Kickstart Scheme grant for you.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has checked the organisations listed in this service using the Cabinet Office Spotlight Tool. The list will be continually updated.

Partnering with one of these organisations does not guarantee that you will get Kickstart Scheme funding. Your application will be assessed against the Kickstart Scheme criteria.

A list of Kickstart Gateways for the Leicestershire area can be found by clicking through this link to explore who you could connect with if you are looking to offer less than 30 opportunities.