With support from Kirklees Council’s Kickstart Gateway, local businesses have secured funding for more than 100 job placement opportunities for young people.
The scheme, funded by government, creates job placements for young people aged 16-24 who are at risk of long term unemployment.
The council acts as a ‘gateway’ to the scheme, giving local businesses easy access to funding and support to create additional employment opportunities for the district.
The job placements offer eligible job seekers up-to-date, relevant work experience on national minimum wage for 25 hours per week over six months. Participants also gain from vital training, skills and employability advice through the Careers Boost Programme delivered by C&K Careers.
Clr Peter McBride, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said: “It’s fantastic we’ve been able to support businesses with the Kickstart Scheme. I’m very proud to be helping young people access opportunities that will help them meet their full potential in the employment market.
“We’re currently supporting 56 businesses, to create over 100 work placements for local young people who may be finding it difficult to secure employment. This figure will continue to rise as private, public and voluntary sector businesses take advantage of scheme and all it has to offer.
“The benefits of these placements are clear. Young people get a wage, work experience, improved confidence and training to equip them with the skills they need for employment. This gives them the best possible chance of moving into apprenticeships or jobs in the longer term.
“Businesses benefit from tapping into the wealth of enthusiasm that young people can bring to the workplace, and some could potentially be looking at their next employee once their placement comes to an end.”
Once approved, employers can spread the start date of the job placements up until the end of December 2021.
Participating businesses will receive the associated employer National Insurance contributions and employer minimum automatic enrolment pension contributions for each job placement.
The council is encouraging any businesses interested in offering Kickstart placements to register their interest online. For more information about the Kickstart Scheme click here.
