What is it?
The government’s kickstart scheme is a programme that was launched in September 2020 for young people aged 16-24 who are in risk of facing long term unemployment.
It was created to produce temporary jobs for young people who need help with getting started in the working world, or for those who need to get back into work after having no luck with job applications or who may have been made redundant.
So far there has been 120,000 jobs created and the government are planning to make up to £130,000 more jobs as lockdown eases. There is a planned £2bn to help fund the scheme, which allows for a total of 250,000 jobs in the UK for young people.
Why was it created?
Youth employment had risen to 14.5% in August-September 2020. Positively, it was stated from 15th January 2021 almost 2000 young people had already began working under the scheme.
It’s known that 11% of the 14.5% of young people that were out of work between August and September in 2020, 11% were already unemployed before Covid, in 2019. Ms Fishwick, a jobs fund representative stated that “It’s important to provide support for those young people who were already unemployed before Covid.”
It has proven as a good way to give young people a chance to work in different sectors and gain experience in these industries. Whilst also decreased youth and young adult unemployment rates.
How does it work?
Business’ who want to join must apply to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) where they will be accessed on whether they are best suited to the scheme.
Young people aged 16-24 who are on universal credit will then be assigned jobs best suited to them by their work coach, where they can then choose which jobs they would like to apply to.
The government provides minimum wage for 6 months at 25 hours per week and an extra £1500 per placement to cover any extra costs and training that might need to be provided. However, businesses can decide whether they want to pay more or provide more hours.
After the 6-month placement period, some exceptional employees can be given the chance to stay on and work for the company as a permanent worker.
For more information on the kickstart scheme and how to get involved, visit: BBC News
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