Kickstart scheme creates almost 900 new jobs for 16 to 24-year-olds
Businesses have been urged by East Midlands Chamber to use gateway providers to create work placements in the Kickstart scheme – after it helped to create hundreds of roles for young people in the region.
The chamber of commerce for Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire has so far helped to facilitate 887 new roles across the three counties. All these have been approved by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), which will provide a £1,500 grant to employers for each six-month placement created for a 16 to 24-year-old.
Further applications have been submitted for another 900 roles as part of the organisation’s role as a gateway provider, which has so far been required for businesses with fewer than 30 vacancies.
East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire) deputy chief executive and Kickstart lead Diane Beresford said: “Using a gateway provider removes the headache of trying to understand the Kickstart application process and ensures businesses receive the full support they need when submitting an application, as well as filling the vacancy with help in tasks such as writing job adverts.
“The Chamber has pledged to work with employers and the young people they hire during the placement to identify any suitable progression opportunities, while we are also able to manage and deliver the mandatory employability support programmes on their behalf with additional sector-based workshops.
“All this free support means companies can concentrate on what they do best, which is running their business, while giving opportunities for the young people that extends far beyond the initial six-month period.”
Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced yesterday (Monday 25 January) that businesses can now also apply direct to DWP for a placement.
Diane said the Chamber remained open to offering gateway services to businesses that want to create a placement as part of the £2bn scheme.
She added: “The Government’s drive to support the creation of new jobs at this challenging time for business is laudable.
“Hundreds of businesses in the East Midlands have already stepped forward to create new opportunities as part of the Kickstart scheme, and we’re proud of the role we’re playing in supporting businesses to secure approval for these placements as an official gateway provider for the scheme.
“It is essential that the Department for Work and Pensions works through current applications in order to support more coming through, and that it continues to encourage small business to work with gateways as an essential support mechanism for businesses to provide a helping hand navigating what can be complex bureaucracy.”
To find out more about how East Midlands Chamber can support businesses with the Kickstart scheme, contact education and business partnership manager Pieter Eksteen on 07468 474307 or email pieter.eksteen@emc-dnl.co.uk.
