Kickstart Scheme
Are you interested in creating a Kickstart job placement for a young person? You can use the Kickstart Scheme to create new 6-month job placements for young people who are currently on Universal Credit and at risk of long-term unemployment. Small businesses who only need one or two placements can apply via Robinson Grace HR Consultancy to access the Kickstart Scheme.
Funding is available for 100% of the relevant National Minimum Wage for 25 hours a week, plus associated employer National Insurance contributions and employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions (based on 25 hours per week). There is also £1,500 per job placement available for setup costs, support and training.
The job placements should support the participants to develop the skills and experience they need to find work after completing the scheme. Kickstart is not an apprenticeship, but participants may move on to an apprenticeship at any time during, or after their job placement.
The job placements created with Kickstart funding must be new jobs, not replace existing or planned vacancies, or cause existing employees to lose or reduce their employment.
The roles you are applying 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
Applying for a placement
Each application should include how you will help the participants to develop their skills and experience, including:
support to look for long-term work, including career advice and setting goals
support with CV and interview preparations
supporting the participant with basic skills, such as attendance, timekeeping and teamwork
build skills and confidence
act as a stepping stone to further employment
Once a job placement is created, it can then be taken up by a second person once the first successful applicant has completed their 6-month term.
Next steps
Let us know you’d like to be included and create a job description of the duties you wish to be covered.
Include a person specification of what interests they may have, alongside any desirable experience. Please bear in mind that placements are for age 16 to 25 so experience may be limited, so broad terms such as customer facing contact, experience of sales, confidence on a computer using email and word etc are relevant.
Write your Company profile, including how you will support the person, provide career guidance, assist with learning new skills and instil workplace principles such as timekeeping, attendance and code of conduct.
Decide if you wish your Kickstarter to work only the funded 25 hours, or more and whether you will top up National Minimum Wage. Bear in mind that Kickstarters on Universal Credit will be applying for jobs, so the more attractive the role you can offer, the greater range of candidates you’ll have to choose from.
Agree with Robinson Grace HR how much assistance you need with:
Writing a job description
Creating a person specification
Writing a company profile including the support you can offer
Creating a training and skills development plan
Submission to the Scheme for approval (must be done through Robinson Grace HR)
Placing the Kickstarter job advert
Shortlisting applicants
Interviewing shortlisted candidates
Offer paperwork and contract of employment template
Providing an outline development review form to track your Kickstarter’s progress
Assisting your Kickstart placement with C.V. writing and careers advice
Assisting your Kickstart placement with interview techniques
We envisage the £1,500 per job placement grant available for setup costs, support and training can be used to assist with providing the above services which we will charge at our standard hourly rate for the elements you ask us to work on, or pick one of the ‘bundles of services at a fixed cost basis.
We are offering a range of 4 fixed price packages to assist SMEs with accessing the Kickstart Scheme.
To find out more or register your interest in taking up one of our available placements email louise@robinsongracehr.com.