YOUNG people from across Warrington and Cheshire claiming Universal Credit are being urged to explore hundreds of local job opportunities as part of the Government’s Kickstart Scheme.
The programme, which was introduced by Chancellor Rishi Sunak last year, is aimed at 16 to 24-year-olds, offering them career prospects and the chance to take a positive step forward into employment.
As part of the initiative, the Government pays the national minimum wage, national insurance and pension contributions for 25 hours a week during the six-month work placement and employers can choose to top up the wage if they wish.
Now, the Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has unveiled more than 1,200 job opportunities under the scheme, across 22 sectors, including digital technology; health and social care; and manufacturing and engineering, to name a few.
The vacancies are now all listed on a dedicated online portal, making Cheshire and Warrington the first the LEP in the country to have a jobs page housing all Kickstart placements.
Among those already signed up to the Kickstart scheme is Amy Hutchinson, who has recently taken on an admin assistant role at employment advice business Standguide.
Amy, who has Spinabifida and is a wheelchair user, attended a group information session run by the Kickstart Scheme, with guidance being given on how to apply for roles and interview prep.
She said: “The Kickstart Scheme is an amazing operation in my opinion, as I felt I was given an equal opportunity to others. I wasn’t looked down upon as I had been previously due to being on benefits and I was able to work closely with the team at Jobcentre Plus to prepare me for my interview.
“My overall experience has been perfect and has made me feel positive about my goal of long-term employment.”
Under the scheme, the Government also pays employers £1,500 to set up support and training for people on a Kickstart placement, help costs of uniforms and help with other set-up costs.
Cheshire and Warrington LEP chairman Clare Hayward said: “We are the first LEP in the country to have all of our Kickstart opportunities in one accessible place, because we believe it is such an important programme.
“The last 18 months have been tough for many but for young people looking for work, the uncertainty has been extremely difficult to cope with.
“The Government’s Kickstart Scheme has been welcomed by businesses from a range of sectors across Cheshire and Warrington and we’re now seeing the benefits to both employer and employee. It has enabled businesses to tap into fresh talent and provided young people the opportunity to explore a range of new job prospects and to take the first steps towards building a career.”
For further information, visit: https://www.candwopportunities.co.uk/16-24/
