The government will fund 100% of job placements, including:

• The relevant national minimum wage for 25 hours a week
• The associated employer National Insurance contributions
• Employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions

There will also be funding available to support young people to develop new skills and to help them move into sustained employment after they have completed their Kickstart-funded job.

The initial priority will be young people, aged between 16 and 24, who are ready for an opportunity and will be supported by their Jobcentre Plus work coach to enrol in the scheme. The first placements are likely to be available from November.

Can you offer new, high-quality six-month job placements?

Loughborough College’s Apprenticeship and Employer Engagement Team will support your application, help you access funding and pass on relevant payments from the DWP. We can also share our expertise and provide employability support directly to young people employed through the scheme.

Can I apply directly?

Yes you can. However, without using a supporting organisation like Loughborough, College there is a minimum recruitment of 30 job placements per organisation. As this places the scheme out of the reach of most small and medium enterprises, the college is stepping in to act as a broker to put it within the reach of companies who wish to take on one or more people.

Are there any restrictions?

The job placements created with Kickstart funding must be new jobs. They must not:

• Replace existing or planned vacancies
• 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 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