Firms urged to give young a Kickstart

Businesses throughout the Stirling area are being encouraged to join a new initiative to create job opportunities for unemployed young people during these difficult times.

The Kickstart Scheme aims to help 16-24 year olds on Universal Credit onto the jobs ladder by giving them six-month job placements. It also boosts businesses by giving them access to the talents and skills of our local young people.

Funded by the UK Government, the programme will operate in the Stirling area through Stirling Council’s Learning and Employability Team and is part of a wider regional collaboration with Clackmannanshire and Falkirk Councils.

First placements are likely to be available from late November, and the funding will cover: 100 per cent of the relevant national minimum wage for 25 hours a week; the associated employer National Insurance contributions; and employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions.

It comes as figures from the Department of Work and Pensions show that Covid-19 has had a disproportionate impact on young adults, with nearly 45,000 people in Scotland aged between 16-24 currently on Universal Credit and searching for work.

Stirling Council’s planning and regeneration convener Councillor Chris Kane said: “These figures underline the significant impact the Covid crisis is having on our communities and the council will continue to do it all can to support young people and businesses.”

Councillor Kane went on: “The Kickstart scheme is a way for young people at risk of long-term unemployment to find work and get opportunities to achieve their potential. I would encourage all local businesses to get involved and support will be available if they are interested in taking part.”

The council would encourage business involved in the initiative to pay the Scottish Living Wage and assistance will be made available to employers who are unable to do so.

Vice convener Councillor Scott Farmer added: “By participating in the programme, businesses will not only be supporting our talented young people at this challenging time, they will be benefiting from their skills and expertise and hopefully some employers will be able to retain recruits at the end of their placement.

“It is important to invest in the next generation as they are the building blocks of our future, and we are looking for employers who can offer meaningful training and opportunities to our young people to improve their prospects of moving into sustained employment.”

If you are a local business and are interested in supporting a young person please e-mail: employerengagement@stirling.gov.uk