Take advantage of the Government’s Kickstart Scheme by 15th September

SAIF members are encouraged to consider taking advantage of the Government’s Kickstart Scheme, which is aimed at offering six-month job placements to people aged between 16 and 24 who are on Universal Credit or at risk of long-term unemployment. On this issue, Scottish members should defer to SAIF Scotland, which is coordinating applications locally, whilst details of how English, Northern Irish and Welsh members can participate can be found below. 

The job placements should support the participants to develop the skills and experience they need to find work after completing the scheme. Funding for placements is available for 100 per cent 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.

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 you are applying for must be: a minimum of 25 hours per week, for six 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.

The scheme requires applications of a minimum of 30 applicants. As your trade association, we are eligible to apply to become an approved representative for a minimum group of 30 job placements. If approved we will make the application on your behalf. If you are interested in forming a group to provide 30 opportunities via SAIF, please email the SAIF Business Centre at: info@saif.org.uk by the end of Tuesday 15th September.

Our initial application as a representative requires us to include details on training and skills support for each employee placed. As part of the £1500 support fee provided by the scheme, we will be including two IFD One award certificate courses and additional training on CV skills and interview support to the employee. The projected cost of these courses is £850 which will be claimed against the £1500 support fee.  

Further information about the Kickstart Scheme can be found here.