Kickstart Scheme
A £2 billion investment by the government to try and prevent young people in a difficult jobs market from becoming reliant on Universal Credit over the long term.
What is the Kickstart Scheme?
The Kickstart Scheme provides funding to employers to create job placements for 16 to 24 year olds.
The government has introduced a new Kickstart Scheme in Great Britain, a £2 billion fund to create hundreds of thousands of high quality 6-month work placements aimed at those aged 16 to 24 who are on Universal Credit and are deemed to be at risk of long term unemployment.
Funding available for each job will cover 100% of the relevant National Minimum Wage for 25 hours a week, plus the associated employer National Insurance contributions and employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions.
Wages Paid
Covering the relevant National Minimum Wage for 25 hours a week, plus the associated employer National Insurance contributions and employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions.
Additional Support
Support young people to develop new skills and to help them move into sustained employment after they have completed their Kickstart funded job.
16-24 year olds
Initially prioritising young people aged between 16 and 24 who are in in receipt of universal credit andready for an opportunity, supported by their Jobcentre Plus work coach to enrol in the scheme.
Talent Pool
Through the scheme, employers will be able to access a pool of young people with potential, ready for an opportunity.
Register for the Kickstart Scheme
Kickstart Scheme – 6 month Job Placements for Young People
If you are an employer looking to create job placements for young people, you could 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. The job placements should support the participants to develop the skills and experience they need to find work after completing the 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. There is also £1,500 per job placement available for setup costs, support and training.
Funding is available following a successful application process. Applications must be for a minimum of 30 job placements. If you are unable to offer this many job placements, you can partner with other organisations to reach the minimum number.
Kickstart is not an apprenticeship, but participants may move on to an apprenticeship at any time during, or after their job placement.
The Kickstart Scheme is available in England, Scotland and Wales.
Kickstart Scheme opens for Employer Applications
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 across the country.
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 in England, Scotland and Wales. The first placements are likely to be available from November.
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.
Employers will receive funding for 100% of the relevant National Minimum Wage for 25 hours a week, plus associated employer National Insurance contributions and employer minimum auto-enrolment pension contributions.
Who can apply for funding
Any organisation, regardless of size, can apply for funding.
The job placements created with Kickstart funding must be new jobs. They must not:
- replace existing or planned vacancies
- cause existing employees or contractors 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
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
Once a job placement is created, it can be taken up by a second person once the first successful applicant has completed their 6-month term.
How to Apply
If you’re creating more than 30 job placements
If your organisation is creating more than 30 job placements as part of the Kickstart Scheme, you can submit your application directly.
If you’re creating fewer than 30 job placements
If your organisation is creating fewer than 30 job placements, you cannot apply directly. You must partner with other organisations in order to create a minimum of 30 job placements before applying. Other organisations could include:
- Similar employers
- Local authorities
- Trade bodies
- Registered charities
Kickstart Scheme Employer Contacts
If you need help with the Kickstart Scheme process, you can email:
your local employer contact if you are located in a specific region
the national employer contact if you are located across several regions
Please include the following information in your email:
- Email subject
- Company name
- Main contact
- Preferred contact information (for example phone or email)
- Your postcode
- Town or city of your proposed job placements
You will receive a telephone call from your local employer contact or the national contact within 2 working days.
gov.uk Kickstart Scheme – A Guide for Employers