This scheme will directly pay employers to create jobs for those aged 16- 24, that claim Universal Credit and are deemed to be at risk of long-term unemployment. For a six month placement, the Government will fund 100% of the National Minimum Wage for 25 hours a week, plus associated employer National Insurance contributions and employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions. The Government will also fund £1,500 per job placement to cover overheads such as setup costs, support and training.
Funding will be available upon successful application. Applications must be for a minimum of 30 job placements, although if you are unable to offer this number of placements you can partner with other organisations to meet the minimum number.
Employers will be able to top up this wage and can apply to be part of this scheme from September, with the first ‘kickstarters’ expected to be in their new jobs by November.
Who can apply?
Any organisation can apply for funding. The job placements created must be new jobs i.e. they must not replace existing or planned vacancies or cause existing employees to lose their employment. Applications should show how you will help the participants to develop their skills and experience. Once a job placement is created, it can be taken up by a second person once their first has completed their 6 month term.
How to apply
If you’re creating more than 30 jobs then your application can be submitted directly online: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-a-grant-through-the-kickstart-scheme
You will need to provide:
- Organisation address and contact details
- Companies House reference number or Charity Commission number
- Details of job placements and their location
- Supporting information showing that the job placements are new jobs and meet the Kickstart Scheme Criteria.
- Information about the support the organisation can give to develop the employability skills of those on placement.
If you’re creating fewer then 30 job placements then you cannot apply directly. You must partner will another organisation/s to create a minimum of 30 job placements. From this group of organisations you need to appoint a representative to apply on behalf of the group. The representative must have experience of managing partnership agreements with third parties and robust financial and governance processes. Other organisations you choose to partner with could include similar employers, local authorities, trade bodies and registered charities.
Guidance on how to become a representative on behalf of a group can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-you-can-apply-for-a-grant-as-a-representative-of-a-group-of-employers-through-the-kickstart-scheme
After you have applied
Applications will be reviewed and then sent to a panel for consideration. The Government aims to respond to applications within a month.
If successful, you will receive a letter with a grant agreement detailing how much funding you will receive. You will also need to provide a job description, including what candidates need to do to apply for the placement. Young people who qualify are being supported by their Jobcentre Plus work coaches to enrol into the scheme. Candidates will then apply for the job placements and you can choose who to employ, provided that they have been introduced to you via the scheme.
