Businesses across the Great Yarmouth borough are urged to take advantage of a Government-funded jobs scheme supporting young people who might otherwise struggle to enter the world of work. 

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

The total grant available for employers is £6,500, covering 100% of the National Minimum Wage (or the National Living Wage depending on the age of the participant) for 25 hours per week, as well as on-costs and National Insurance contributions. Employers can choose to offer a higher wage and/or more hours from their own funds.

In addition, to help the young people get a job in the future, there is a further £1,500 payable to employers to provide wrap-around employability support. This can either be provided in-house or the employer can pay for the support to be delivered by a third-party trainer.

Whilst employers offering a minimum of 30 placements can apply directly to the scheme, smaller businesses can also apply via one of the three local Kickstart Gateways. Great Yarmouth Borough Council is working with East Coast College, Norfolk Chambers of Commerce and Norfolk County Council, who will collate placements on behalf of a group of employers.

Cllr Graham Plant, chairman of the economic development committee, said: “The Kickstart Scheme is part of the Government’s Plan for Jobs and is a great opportunity for businesses of all sizes and sectors to bolster their workforce with national financial support, whilst supporting the job prospects and aspirations of young people in their own community.

“As a council, we are helping to facilitate and promote the scheme, working with local partners, as part of supporting local economic recovery, and we will be leading the way by offering a number of new placement opportunities at the council. To qualify, you simply have to demonstrate that the role is additional, not replacing existing, and that you can provide sufficient employability support.”

Applications can be made through the Gateway organisations, with links and further information available on the council website at https://www.great-yarmouth.gov.uk/kickstart Businesses will receive full support with their applications and be kept updated throughout the process.