£500k boost will extend Kickstart scheme

BUSINESSES across Leicestershire are being urged to take advantage of a new cash pot enabling them to extend paid work experience for young people.

Leicestershire County Council is encouraging companies to increase placements offered under the Government’s Kickstart from six to 12 months, after the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) pledged £500,000 to bolster the scheme.

The council already has a similar plan for its own placements, and has offered spots to 12 young people so far, with further opportunities available in areas including highways services, waste operations, surveying, business support and administration.

Council leader Nick Rushton said: “The pandemic has had a big impact on the jobs market in Leicestershire, and the news of this extra funding is very welcome.

“The Kickstart participants employed by the county council are already benefitting from the experience, and I would urge all eligible businesses to make sure they take up this opportunity to extend their Kickstart placements to 12 months to give our young people the best possible chance of finding permanent work.”

Kevin Harris, chair of the LLEP board of directors, said: “This additional LLEP funding should greatly improve the employment prospects of young people participating in the scheme, and also help support local SMEs with their skills needs.”

Leicester and Leicestershire’s population of 16 to 24-year-olds is above the national average, and data gathered by the LLEP shows that young workers are more likely to be disadvantaged by any economic downturn.

LLEP’s 2019 Employer Skills Survey showed that 68 per cent of employers cited having relevant work experience as critical to recruitment for young people.

The Government’s Kickstart scheme offers paid work placements for 16-24 year olds who receive Universal Credit.