Kickstart scheme

The Kickstart Scheme aims to help 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 six months
• Associated employer National Insurance contributions
• Employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions
• £1,500 funding per job placement. This is for setup costs and to support the young person in developing their employability skills. If someone else helps you to do this, you’ll have to agree how to share this money

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

If you apply for the Kickstart Scheme, it must be for a minimum of 30 job placements. If you’re a single employer and can’t provide this many job placements, a Kickstart gateway (such as a local authority, charity or trade body) can help you apply.

Further funding is available for training to help young people on the scheme find a job in the future.

The job placements created with Kickstart Scheme funding must be new jobs. They can’t

• Replace existing or planned vacancies
• Cause existing employees, apprentices or contractors to lose work or reduce their working hours

The job placements need to

• Be at least 25 hours per week, for 6 months
• Pay at least the National Minimum Wage or the National Living Wage for the employee’s age group
• Only require basic training

Contact information

If you need help in applying for the Kickstart Scheme, you can get in touch with

• Your local employer contact if you’re in a specific region
• The national employer contact if you’re located across several regions
• The Kickstart Scheme employer contacts