More than 500 organisations signed up to help small firms with Kickstart jobs scheme
Posted: Fri 18th Sep 2020
The government has announced that more 500 bodies have signed up to help small businesses make applications for funding to cover the employment of young people through the Kickstart scheme.
Announced by chancellor Rishi Sunak in July, the initiative allows firms to offer six month placements to 16-24 year olds who are at risk of long term unemployment with their salaries for 25 hours a week covered by the government. Business also get £1,500 per job for set-up costs, support and training.
Only companies with a minimum 30 placements can apply directly. Employers with less than that need the help of another organisation.
The government says more than 500 organisation have now been confirmed as so-called 'gateways'. The gateways will submit applications for Kickstart funding on behalf of several businesses looking to offer placements to make up the minimum of 30.
Organisations signed up as gateways included national bodies, groups focused on specific areas and those that work with particular sectors.
They will gather information from small businesses about the job placements on offer, submit an application on behalf of a group of employers and pass on the relevant payments made by the government.
The gateways receive £300 per young person placed in a Kickstart job. They can also receive a proportion of the £1,500 funding for set-up costs if they continue to support the small business.
Links to all the bodies currently confirmed as gateways are here: