Chances for young jobless are given a £2bn Kickstart
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the UK Government has continued to act with speed to protect Scottish companies and safeguard jobs. The Kickstart scheme, currently underway, is one such way of getting the country’s young people into a job. This is how the initiative works and who it is aimed at.
A NEW scheme to help young people in Scotland into work and boost the country’s economic revival has been launched by the UK Government.
Businesses are now able to sign up to be part of the landmark £2billion Kickstart scheme, giving unemployed young people a future of opportunity and hope by creating high-quality, governmentsubsidised jobs.
Under the scheme, announced by Chancellor Rishi Sunak as part of his Plan for Jobs, Scottish employers can offer youngsters aged 16 to 24, who are claiming Universal Credit, a six-month work placement.
The Government will fully fund each Kickstart job by paying 100 per cent of the age-relevant National Minimum Wage, National Insurance and pension contributions for 25 hours a week.
Employers will be able to top up this wage, while the UK Government will also pay employers £1,500 to set up support and training for people on Kickstart placements, as well as helping pay for uniforms and other set up costs. The jobs will give young people – who are more likely to have been
The scheme will open the door to a brighter future for a new generation, helping Scotland bounce back stronger as a country.
furloughed, many working in sectors disproportionately hit by the pandemic – the opportunity to build their skills in the workplace and gain experience to improve their chances of finding long-term work.
The Chancellor said: “This isn’t just about kickstarting our 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, helping Scotland bounce back stronger as a country.
Secretary of State for Scotland Alister Jack said: “The UK Government’s Kickstart scheme will give young people in Scotland the support they need at this difficult time. The £2 billion Kickstart scheme will create thousands of high quality jobs for young people with the UK Government directly subsiding wages for six months. Young people will also get additional support through the Jobcentre network. I urge employers in Scotland to sign up to this.”
Businesses of all sizes looking to create quality jobs for young people can apply and there is no cap on the number of places. Household names including Tesco and The Prince’s Trust are among those who have already pledged to offer Kickstart jobs.
The scheme, being delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions, will initially be open until December 2021 with the option of being extended.
As part of the plan to support jobs, a Job Retention Bonus will be introduced to help firms keep furloughed workers. All Scottish employers will receive a one-off bonus of £1,000 for each furloughed employee who remains continuously employed through to the end of January 2021.
Employees must earn above the Lower Earnings Limit (£520 per month) on average betwee n the end of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and the end of January 2021 with payments made from February 2021.