Crawley businesses urged to sign up to Kickstart scheme and help young people into work

The Government’s Kickstart scheme has been designed to ensure young people at risk of long term unemployment have a future of opportunity and hope by creating quality, government-subsidised jobs across the UK, helping to spur the country’s economic recovery after the coronavirus pandemic.

Under the scheme employers that sign up will be able to offer youngsters aged 16-24 who are claiming Universal Credit a six-month work placement that is fully funded by the government.

This means the Government will pay 100 per cent of the young persons’ age-relevant National Minimum Wage, National Insurance and pension contributions for 25 hours a week, which the employer can top up if they chose to.

In addition, the Government will also pay the employer £1,500 for each young person they take on, to support any training or associated costs like uniforms that they might incur when setting up the scheme.

The scheme will initially be open until December 2021, but there is the option for it to be extended. Young people will be referred into the new roles through their Jobcentre Plus work coach with the first Kickstarts expected to begin at the start of November.

Crawley MP Henry Smith called on employers across the town to sign up to the scheme.

He said: “We can’t allow young people to be left behind as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, and schemes like this will be vital for creating jobs and giving young people the skills to access them.

“I’m delighted that the Government are putting young people are the heart of its plans to build back stronger after the pandemic, and hope as many as possible in Crawley are able to take part.”

Chancellor Rishi Sunak added: “This isn’t just about kickstarting our country’s economy – it is an opportunity to kickstart the careers of thousands of young people who could otherwise be left behind as a result of the pandemic.

“The scheme will open the door to a brighter future for a new generation and ensure the UK bounces back stronger as a country.”

For more information please visit: www.gov.uk/kickstart

In the county, the Sussex Chamber of Commerce is acting as an intermediary and will help collate business placements.

Visit www.sussexchamberofcommerce.co.uk/young-chamber/kickstart-scheme

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