News

As part of the government’s Plan for Jobs, a new £2 billion Kickstart Scheme will create hundreds of thousands of new, fully subsidised jobs for young people.

The government will fully fund each “Kickstart” job – paying 100% of the age-relevant National Minimum Wage, National Insurance and pension contributions for 25 hours a week.

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 funded job.

To help smaller businesses, employers offering fewer than 30 placements will be asked to make a bid through an intermediary, such as the local Chamber of Commerce, who will then bid for 30 or more placements as a combined bid from several businesses. This will make the process easier and less labour intensive to apply for these smaller companies who only want to hire one or two Kickstarters.

Young people are usually amongst the worst hit by financial crises, and unemployment can have longstanding implications for their future jobs and wages. We know people are leaving education into an extremely difficult jobs market, we know that young people are more likely to have been furloughed, so we are stepping in to provide more help.

The 6 month placements are open to those aged 16-24 who are claiming Universal Credit and at risk of long term unemployment. They will be available across a range of different sectors. The first placements are likely to be available from November.

In addition, the government is offering employers £1,500 to set up support and training for those taking part, or other set-up costs such as buying uniforms.

If employing more than 30 Kickstart roles
Larger employers can check eligibility and register their interest here.

If employing less than 30 Kickstart roles
Employers interested in offering fewer than 30 Kickstart roles should apply through a representative organisation. Dundee & Angus Chamber of Commerce is a representative organisation and can apply on your behalf.

Please contact DACC to find out more.