Work Experience through Kickstart - A Reminder

The government have launched a scheme to help young people access meaningful periods of work experience by supporting Employers financially to provide these placements.

Each placement must be for a minimum of 25 hours per week, for a 6 month period. Government will pay the relevant minimum wage for 25 hours, employers national insurance and minimum autoenrollment contributions to the Employer.

Businesses will be expected to offer an element of training for each placement, which will prepare the young person for future employment. The business will also receive £1,500 towards this training and other initial expenses.

If you’re creating fewer than 30 job placements, a Kickstart gateway can act on your behalf and apply for a Kickstart Scheme grant for you.

They will:

• gather information from you about the job placements you’d like to offer

• use this information to submit an online application on behalf of a group of employers

• pass on the relevant payments made by DWP to you (for example the young person’s salary)

They may also:

• share their expertise with you to help you onboard and train young people employed through the scheme, for example supporting those with particular disadvantages or working in certain sectors

• provide employability support directly to young people employed through the scheme

There is more information available here.

A list of current Yorkshire & Humber gateway partners is listed here. As a group, we have experience of EN:Able Futures, NYBEP and Northern Regeneration. Many local councils are also offering the service.

If you’re creating more than 30 job placements you can apply directly by submitting an online application yourself.