The Kickstart scheme is a £2bn fund launched by the government on 22 September 2020, which provides funding to employers who create 6-month work placements for those aged between 16 and 24 at risk of long- term unemployment.
- Any organisation, regardless of size, can apply for funding, but the job placements created with Kickstart funding must be new jobs. They must not:
- replace existing or planned vacancies
- cause existing employees or contractors to lose or reduce their employment
- Funding is available following a successful application process, but applications must be for a minimum of 30 job placements.
- If you’re creating fewer than 30 job placements, you cannot apply directly and will need to use a Kickstart Gateway to make your application.
- Employers will receive funding for
- 100% of the relevant National Minimum Wage for 25 hours a week, plus
- associated employer National Insurance contributions and
- employer minimum auto-enrolment pension contributions.
- An additional £1500 per job placement is available for setup costs, support and training.
- More information is contained in the employer guidance.
Aspire Business Partnership ("Aspire") provide WK1 with practical and commercially sound advice in relation to all aspects of compliance, business strategy and conflict resolution. WK1 engage Aspire on a retained basis through which Aspire provide WK1 with advice on an ad-hoc basis.
