Kickstart six-month job placement funding for under-25s

UP to 60 new jobs could be created for young people in West Berkshire through the Government Kickstart Scheme.

The scheme offers fully-funded six-month job placements for under 25s who are claiming out-ofwork benefits.

West Berkshire Council has submitted an application on behalf of local businesses which could see a significant number of jobs created.

In order to apply directly to the Government to take part in the scheme, businesses must offer 30 new roles.

Where smaller local businesses cannot offer so many roles, however, the council acts as a gateway organisation, to bring together a group of employers and support them to create new roles.

The placement will offer six months of high-quality paid work experience and the council has partnered with West Berkshire Training Consortium to offer CV writing, interview and other workplace skills to every candidate, which will maximise their chances of finding long-term employment.

The council is taking a lead role by creating 13 internal Kickstart placements across its teams, such as planning, children’s services, legal and HR.

It will also continue to support as many businesses as possible to utilise the scheme and is looking to submit further applications on an ongoing basis.

West Berkshire Council’s executive member for internal governance Joanne Stewart said: “To have our first Kickstart application submitted and to see so many local businesses offering opportunities to young people who have found themselves in hardship is great.

“Never has it been so important to make sure we are supporting our local economy. Acting as an intermediary to ensure as many businesses could benefit from this scheme as possible does just this, while also helping young people to achieve their full potential.

“I would ask local business owners who would benefit from creating fully-funded additional work placements under the Kickstart scheme to get in touch with Sam in our economic development team at Sam.Robins2@westberks.gov.uk.”

Newbury West Berkshire economic development company chief executive Robyn Brookes said: “We have found it a very easy process to signpost companies interested in using Kickstart to the team at West Berkshire Council.”