Funded by Government, supported by HCC acting as a local gateway to the scheme for public bodies, charities and SME’s offering public services.

HCC is acting as a Gateway for the scheme, especially for employers who want to recruit young people through the Kickstart scheme. 

The next deadline for an application is the 18^thDecember 2020, but it will continue. If you are an employer and want to help a young person to gain skills, confidence and a starter CV, contact kickstart@hants.gov.uk for more details.

This scheme matches up Universal Credit Claimants aged 16-24 with employers for a paid workplace scheme. This is how it works:-

Each placement last six months: costs are covered by payment from the DWP (Government) for 25 hours a week.  The Government pays National Minimum Wage for the age group, plus pension costs & NI. Payments are made in arrears; the first payment arrives within six weeks of the young person starting work.

A grant of £1500 per young person is also given to cover training, DBS, uniform, possibly travel costs too; for items that support the young person and overcome barriers to work.

Employers should consider what the role* could be.  It cannot be a replacement for another person’s job. Ideally it could lead to a new apprenticeship, but it does not have to do so.

*This is essentially a job or role profile. 

HCC is working with the Department of Work and Pensions (the DWP) in batches of 30 placements. 

Once you have an idea of the potential work placement role, contact Katie Matthews at kickstart@hants.gov.uk to go through the next steps. 

If you are a young person,please remember: you must be receiving Universal Credit before you can take part in his scheme. Most young people who are 18+ who aren’t working 

Can claim, and some 16-17your olds can too. So, if you are 16-24 and not working, you may be eligible for universal credit. Go to www.gov.uk/how-to-claim-universal-credit  to make a start.

When you have registered and been assessed as eligible, you will be contacted by a DWP ‘Work Coach’ . The work coach will then tell you of job experience places available that are accessible to you. Then, a ‘light touch’  interview process will hopefully lead you to a work placement in an area of public service for six months with support to round off your CV and hopefully, prepare you for an apprenticeship : which will be a really interesting experience!  

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