BUSINESS SHORTS

■ BUSINESSES are being advised to seize the opportunity to reinvigorate their operations and support young people into work through a Government- f unded programme.

The Kickstart Scheme is a £2 billion fund from the government to create thousands of high-quality, fully funded six-month work placements for 16 to 24-year-olds to help them get the skills, experience and confidence to go onto longer-term work.

Kickstart placements will need to be new, and take the place of any temporary, permanent or planned roles; show a business’s commitment to supporting the young person’s professional development throughout the placement and be a minimum of 25 hours a week for six months.

By offering placements, businesses will receive 100 per cent of the relevant National Minimum Wage for that age group for 25 hours a week; associated National Insurance contributions; employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions and £1,500 of extra funding to support them with the experience, skills and training to help move them onto more sustainable employment.

LEP chairman Alun Rogers said: “The Kickstart scheme will provide real opportunities for young people in our area in getting the grounding they need to take a first step onto the career ladder.

“Gaining meaningful employment can be difficult at the best of times and Covid-19 pandemic has presented us with huge challenges. The economy has been hit hard and most businesses have been affected.

“Many businesses have shown great resilience through this period and may have created openings for new employment. We would urge them to find out more about the Kickstart scheme and get involved.

“Not only will they be giving committed young people a start in their chosen career and the chance to develop their skills; they will also benefit from the drive and enthusiasm new placements will bring to their operations.”

Email kickstart@staffordshirechambers.co.uk.

■ If your business has a story to tell, or is celebrating an anniversary or milestone of any kind, contact editor@staffordshirenewspapers.co.uk