The £2 billion Kickstart Scheme launched today and is now open to any employer. Find out more about how you can get involved.

The DWP has produced A Guide for Employers which covers the detail available so far.

What Do I Need To Know?

Funding available for each job will cover the relevant National Minimum Wage for 25 hours a week, plus the associated employer National Insurance contributions and employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions. There will also be funding available to support young people to develop new skills and to help them move into sustained employment after they have completed their Kickstart funded job. Through the scheme, you’ll be able to access a large pool of young people with potential, ready for an opportunity.

The scheme will initially prioritise young people aged between 16 and 24 who are ready for an opportunity and will be supported by their Jobcentre Plus work coach to enrol in the scheme.

Can Any Employer Apply For The Kickstart Fund?

If your organisation is creating more than 30 job placements as part of the #Kickstart Scheme, you can submit your application directly here

If you are creating less than 30 placements…

If your organisation is creating fewer than 30 Kickstart job placements, you must partner with others which could include:

• similar employers
• local authorities
• trade bodies
• registered charities

If you are a representative applying on behalf of a group of employers, you can get £300 of funding to support associated admin costs. More information about being a representative is here 

What Costs Will The Funding Cover For An Employer?

Each job will cover 100% of the relevant National Minimum Wage for 25 hours a week, plus the associated employer National Insurance contributions and employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions. On top of the wage subsidy, £1,500 per job placement available for setup costs, support and training.

What else do I need to know?

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

The roles you are bidding 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

All bids should include how you will help the participants to develop their skills and experience with:

• support to look for long-term work
• support with CV and interview preparation
• training to develop their skills, such as team work, organisation and communications as part of the role

You can find further information on the Kickstart Scheme at www.gov.uk/kickstart