Basildon businesses urged to access Government Kickstart funding

Youth unemployment in Basildon borough has now exceeded 3,000 people according to figures released last week by the Office for National Statistics and local employers are being urged to access funding from a £2 billion Government scheme to create job placements to help young people back in to work.

A total of 3,045 young people aged 16-24 years old are now claiming Universal Credit in the borough, with large numbers of young people being badly impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic. 

The government Kickstart Scheme will fund employers to provide 6 month work placements for young people. Employers will be paid 100% of the National Minimum Wage and employers national insurance for 25 hours a week. There is also a £1500 grant per job placement available to help employers pay for setup costs, support and training.

Kickstart Jobs UK is an approved Gateway helping employers access the Kickstart Scheme, especially employers creating under 30 job placements who are not allowed to apply directly to the Government. Applying through Kickstart Jobs UK is free of charge for employers, who will also gain access to the exclusive Kickstart Academy which will provide free employability skills training to the young person recruited. Employers can apply for Kickstart Scheme funding now at www.kickstartjobs.uk

Jonathan Ash-Edwards from Kickstart Jobs UK said: 

“The Coronavirus pandemic has hit young people hard and youth unemployment is rising across the country. The Kickstart Scheme is a £2 billion investment by the Government to fund job placements to get young people back in to work. I would urge local employers to access this funding to create job placements and help kickstart the careers of local young people, as well as boosting your business at the same time. Pledge your job placements now at www.kickstartjobs.uk “