Kickstart Scheme
What is the Kickstart Scheme?
The Kickstart Scheme provides funding to create new job placements for 16 to 24 year olds on Universal Credit who are at risk of long term unemployment.
Employers of all sizes can apply for funding which covers:
- 100% of the National Minimum Wage (or the National Living Wage depending on the age of the participant) for 25 hours per week for a total of 6 months
- associated employer National Insurance contributions
- employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions
Employers can spread the start date of the job placements up until the end of December 2021.
What is the criteria?
Job placement criteria
The job placements created with Kickstart Scheme funding must be new jobs. You need to check all of this with the employers you represent.
The job placements must not:
- replace existing or planned vacancies
- cause existing employees, apprentices or contractors to lose work or reduce their working hours
The job placements must:
- be a minimum of 25 hours per week, for 6 months
- pay at least the National Minimum Wage or the National Living Wage for the employee’s age group
- only require basic training
Partnered with Lincoln College
The Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce have partnered up with Lincoln College to allow businesses across the County to access the scheme, no matter how many opportunities they have available, rather than the 30 needed to apply for the scheme directly.
Through this partnership, employers get that extra support as the administration requirements are all taken care of, as well as the management of the requirement and selection process.
Each job placement needs to help the young person become more employable and this partnership also provides invaluable support to the young people, including:
- looking for long-term work, including career advice and setting goals
- support with CV and interview preparations
- developing their skills in the workplace
What will you get as an employer?
£1500 is available for start-up costs per placement. For advertising , training and recruiting your candidate Lincoln College will retain £500 and pay £1000 to you for further support of the placement.
This funding is for setup costs and to support the young person to develop their employability skills.
Kickstart Scheme wages and costs are paid to the employee, who will pass this on to the employer. This funding covers:
- 100% of the National Minimum Wage (or the National Living Wage depending on the age of the participant) for 25 hours per week for a total of 6 months
- associated employer National Insurance contributions
- employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions
Employers can pay a higher wage and for more hours but the funding will not cover this.
