HM Treasury has announced that the Kickstart Scheme is now open for applications, with the first placements expected to begin in November. The Kickstart Scheme is available in England, Scotland and Wales.

The Kickstart Scheme can be used to create new, 6-month job placements for young people who are currently on Universal Credit and at risk of long-term unemployment. Kickstart is not an apprenticeship, though participants may move on to an apprenticeship at any time during or after their job placement.

Employers can receive funding for 100% of the relevant National Minimum Wage for 25 hours a week, plus associated employer National Insurance contributions and employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions. There is also £1,500 per job placement available for setup costs, support and training. Funding is available following a successful application process, with applications including a minimum of 30 job placements. If charities are unable to offer this many job placements, they can partner with other organisations to reach the minimum number.

Who can apply for funding

Any organisation can apply for funding, however the job placements created with Kickstart funding must be new jobs. They must not replace existing or planned vacancies, or cause existing employees or contractors to lose or reduce their employment.

The roles organisations apply for must be:

• A minimum of 25 hours per week, for 6 months
• Paid at least the National Minimum Wage for their age group
• Should not require people to undertake extensive training before they begin the job placement.

Each application should include how the organisation will help the participants to develop their skills and experience, including:

• Support to look for long-term work, including career advice and setting goals
• Support with CV and interview preparations
• Supporting the participant with basic skills, such as attendance, timekeeping and teamwork.

Once a job placement is created, it can be taken up by a second person once the first successful applicant has completed their 6-month term.

How to apply

If you’re creating more than 30 job placements

If your organisation is creating more than 30 job placements as part of the Kickstart Scheme, you can submit your application directly.

If you’re creating fewer than 30 job placements

Organisations creating fewer than 30 job placements cannot apply directly. They must partner with other organisations in order to create a minimum of 30 job placements before applying.

Other organisations could include:

• Similar employers
• Local authorities
• Trade bodies
• Registered charities.

Find out more about becoming a representative for a group of employers. Representatives applying on behalf of a group of employers can get £300 of funding to support with the associated administrative costs of bringing together these employers.