How PeoplePlus helped employers hire young people free with Kickstart
The government’s Kickstart scheme helped young people into six-month paid jobs – and employers didn't have to pay a penny.
In fact, the government also gave employers £1,500 per person they used to help with training and setup costs.
PeoplePlus helped employers find the right candidates to hire and supported employers with their training needs so they were ready to hit the ground running.
Who was eligible?
Young people aged 16-24 who were unemployed and claiming Universal Credit.
What was the job criteria?
Jobs lasted a minimum 25 hours a week and lasted for six months.
The government paid up to the National Minimum Wage, but employers were able to top that figure up. In a further boost for employers, the government paid National Insurance contributions.
The scheme operated on the premise that employers should help the young person become more employable, through things like developing their skills, helping them look for long-term work and providing careers advice.
How did PeoplePlus help?
We helped manage all aspects of a Kickstart journey from the employer's perspective – before the candidate started, during the placement and even afterwards.
A key element of the Kickstart programme was to develop young people’s employability and personal development skills. As one of Britain’s leading training providers, we were able to deliver support on employer's skills needs to achieve successful placements.
Our services helped employers to -
- Attract, assess and recruit the most suitable candidates
- Deliver pre-employment training
- Offer nationally recognised and accredited qualifications
- Provide sector-specific training
- Access further funding to develop teams
- Deliver flexible and bite-sized e-learning courses by LearningPlus
- Help teams progress into further education, employment or training
Did Kickstart work?
The Kickstart scheme formed a key part of the government’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, and while the full impact is still being assessed, it is believed around 300,000 young people accessed a placement between September 2000 and March 2022.
Download our Kickstart guide for useful insights into this government intervention.
