The Kickstart Scheme: Is it right for your business?
The Kickstart Scheme provides funding to create new job placements for 16 to 24 year olds on Universal Credit who are at risk of long term unemployment.
Employers of all sizes can now apply directly for funding, which covers:
100% of the National Minimum Wage (or the National Living Wage depending on the age of the participant) for 25 hours per week for a total of 6 months
associated employer National Insurance contributions
employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions
Employers can spread the start date of the job placements up until the end of December 2021.
What is a Kickstart gateway?
A Kickstart gateway helps an employer get a Kickstart Scheme grant. They may also offer employability support to the young person on the scheme.
As a Kickstart gateway you register and submit your information to the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) and they will administer the payments to you as an employer. Find your local or national Kickstart Scheme contact here.
Job placement criteria
The job placements created with Kickstart Scheme funding must be new jobs. You need to check all of this with the employers you represent.
The job placements must not:
replace existing or planned vacancies
cause existing employees, apprentices or contractors to lose work or reduce their working hours
The job placements must:
be a minimum of 25 hours per week, for 6 months
pay at least the National Minimum Wage or the National Living Wage for the employee’s age group
only require basic training
Each job placement needs to help the young person become more employable. The Kickstart gateway needs to agree with the employer how this is done.
This employability support could include:
looking for long-term work, including career advice and setting goals
support with CV and interview preparations
developing their skills in the workplace
The young person may be able to move to another employment scheme when they’ve finished their 6-month Kickstart Scheme job placement with you.
How you will get the funding
DWP will send the funding to you as the Kickstart gateway. You will be responsible for sending the funding to the employer.
£1,860 per job placement
You need to inform DWP when the young person starts the job placement. The £1,500 setup costs and £360 admin costs funding will then be paid.
Kickstart Scheme wages and related costs
DWP will use information from HMRC to check that the young person is still employed. The grant funding to pay the young person’s salary will be paid in monthly arrears when we know they are:
enrolled on the employer’s payroll
being paid through Pay As You Earn (PAYE)
The employer can pay a higher wage and for more hours but the funding will not cover this.
Other employment schemes
Kickstart Scheme is part of the government’s Plan for Jobs. Other employment schemes in this include:
Apprenticeships
You may be able to get funding for any apprentices you employ in England. Find out more about apprenticeships.
Sector-based Work Academy Programme (SWAP)
Jobcentre Plus can support you to create a skilled workforce for your business by offering unemployed people sector-based work academies in England and Scotland.
Traineeships
Employers in England can also help young people by setting up a traineeship. Funding is available for this scheme.
Further support and help
Get in touch with your local or national Kickstart Scheme contact if you need help with the application process.
You can also read top tips for making a Kickstart Scheme application and guidance for employers on choosing a Kickstart gateway.
