Background
Kickstart Scheme provides funding to employers who create new 6-month job placements for young people who are currently on Universal Credit and at risk of long-term unemployment

There will also be extra funding to support young people to build their experience and help them move into sustained employment after they have completed their Kickstart Scheme funded job.

What we know
1. Employers will receive funding which will cover for each job placement:

• 100% of the relevant National Minimum Wage for 25 hours a week
• the associated employer National Insurance contributions
• employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions

2. There is also £1,500 per job placement available for setup costs, support and training.

3. Applications must be for a minimum of 30 job placements.If your organisation is creating fewer than 30 job placements, you cannot apply directly, you must find someone toapply on your behalf.If you are applying on behalf of a group of employers, you can get £300 of funding for each job placement to support with the associated administrative costs of bringing together these employers.

4. Any organisation, regardless of size, can apply for funding.

5. The job placements created with Kickstart funding must be new jobs. They must not:

• replace existing or planned vacancies
• cause existing employees or contractors to lose or reduce their employment

6. The roles you are applying for must be:

• a minimum of 25 hours per week, for 6 months
• paid at least the National Minimum Wage for their age group
• should not require people to undertake extensive training before they begin the job placement

7. Each application should include how you will help the participants to develop their skills and experience, including:

• support to look for long-term work, including career advice and setting goals
• support with CV and interview preparations
• supporting the participant with basic skills, such as attendance, timekeeping and teamwork

Once a job placement is created, it can be taken up by a second person once the first successful applicant has completed their 6-month term.

How to claim
Applications can be made online at www.gov.uk butmust be for a minimum of 30 job placements.If you as an employer are unable to offer this many job placements, you can find someone to apply on behalf of a group of employers to reach the minimum number at www.gov.uk.  

Useful Links
Kickstart scheme
Check if you can apply for a grant through the Kickstart Scheme
Apply for a grant through the Kickstart Scheme
Find someone to apply for a Kickstart Scheme grant on your behalf