Kickstart Scheme

Kickstart Scheme

How the Kickstart Scheme works

The Kickstart Scheme provides funding to create new job placements for 16 to 24 year olds on Universal Credit who are at risk of long term unemployment. Employers of all sizes can apply for funding which covers:

• 100% of the National Minimum Wage (or the National Living Wage depending on the age of the participant) for 25 hours per week for a total of 6 months
• associated employer National Insurance contributions
• employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions

Employers can spread the start date of the job placements up until the end of December 2021.

Further funding is available for training and support so that young people on the scheme can get a job in the future.

The Kickstart Scheme has changed.

You no longer need a minimum of 30 job placements to apply directly for a grant.

You can now apply for a Kickstart Scheme grant by either:

• applying online yourself
• getting help from a Kickstart gateway who is already working with the Kickstart Scheme

If you need more help with applying you can contact our employer team.

More about the scheme

More sources of help and support for employers

Jobcentre Plus can help you fill your vacancies more efficiently through sector-based work academies. Find out more about the sector-based work academy programme.

For help with recruiting and retaining disabled people visit our Disability Confident site. An Access to Work grant can pay for practical support to help your employees stay in work if they have a disability. Visit our Access to Work pages to find out more.