Voluntary Norfolk is working with East Coast College to make it easier for VCSE organisations looking to create jobs placements for young people through the government’s Kickstart Scheme.  The Kickstart scheme has recently changed so there is no longer the need to employ a minimum number of 30 people.

How the scheme works

The Kickstart Scheme aims 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 of £1500 per placement 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.

Job placement criteria

The job placements created with Kickstart Scheme funding must be new jobs. They 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

For each job placement you must help the young person become more employable. This could include:

  • looking for long-term work, including career advice and setting goals
  • support with curriculum vitae (CV) and interview preparations
  • developing their skills in the workplace

VCSEs can register for the Kickstart scheme directly through the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) although doing it through an approved Gateway provider such as East Coast College makes it easier and quicker as the the College will:

  • gather information about the job placements you’d like to offer
  • share this information with DWP on your behalf
  • pay the funding to you (for example the young person’s salary)

East Coast College, working with its partners, including Voluntary Norfolk, can also offer employability support to the young people in the job placement.

Further information

Contact Rachel Bunn, Assistant Principal – Apprenticeships and Employer Engagement, East Coast College.  Email Rachel or call her on 01502 525093.