An initiative to help combat youth unemployment is continuing to be championed by the Watford and West Herts Chamber of Commerce following its launch last year.

The organisation remains keen to get business involved in the Kickstart Scheme, but many are unsure about how they can benefit and what the eligibility requirements are.

The Chamber has teamed up with the Watford Observer to offer this short guide to the scheme so you can understand what it means for you and your business.

Kickstart was created in response to youth unemployment during the pandemic, and is open to young people between the ages of 16 and 24 who are claiming Universal Credit. It provides young people with a job placement at a minimum of 25 hours of work per week for six months, paid at National Minimum/Living Wage. All wages, employment fees, and training costs will be paid for by the Government.

Currently, the latest a job on the scheme can start is December 31, 2021, although there have been calls for this to be extended.

Kickstart provides an opportunity to train and support a young person, helping them to kickstart their career and develop their talents, while gaining a valuable team member for your business.

The Watford Chamber has already successfully taken on several Kickstarters, and is continuing to support local businesses who wish to do the same.

The only requirements for businesses are that the role cannot replace existing or planned vacancies, cannot cause existing employees to reduce their working hours, and must only require basic training.

As the job placement is fully funded by the Government, including any training, this comes at minimal cost to the company, and businesses only need to contribute if they choose to increase the working hours above 25 per week, or pay above National Minimum/Living Wage.

Once the placement ends, it is up to the business whether to keep your Kickstarter on as an employee, or help them take the next steps to finding their next job. This might include providing them with CV and employability support, or helping them set career goals.

Businesses can apply directly through the Department of Work and Pensions, or through a Kickstart Gateway. The Chamber is one such gateway – it will help you become a Kickstart employer, acting as an intermediary and applying for funding on your behalf.

The Chamber will also assist with the recruitment process, interviewing and have developed a training and personal development programme including Mental Health First Aid Awareness, giving you and your Kickstarter all the support you need for a successful placement.

For more information about how the Chamber can help you, visit https://watfordchamber.co.uk/government-kickstart-campaign/