Conservative MPs Kieran Mullan and Edward Timpson are calling on Cheshire employers to take part in the Governments new £2 billion Kickstart Scheme.
The scheme fully funds 6-month job placements for young people who are currently on Universal Credit and at risk of long-term unemployment.
Funding is available for 100% of a National Minimum Wage job for 25 hours a week, plus associated employer National Insurance and pension contributions.
In addition, employers receive £1,500 per job placement for set-up costs, support and training.
Employers are expected to support participants to develop skills and experience they need to find work after completing the scheme.
To apply directly to the scheme, employers need to offer 30 jobs.
Crewe & Nantwich MP Dr Mullan said: “During the financial crisis in 2008 young people were badly affected and research shows setbacks early in a young person’s journey into work can have long term consequences.
“So the Government is putting £2 billion pounds into a scheme to create jobs for young people.
“We all know how important it is to get your foot in the door! This will help young people do just that.
“To apply directly to the scheme you need to offer 30 job roles but I know there are many local businesses that will want to help young people in this way that won’t meet that threshold.
“Where you want to offer less than 30 roles, even just 1, you can group together to apply to the scheme.
“So I want to hear from any and all Crewe and Nantwich based employers of all kinds whether charity or not for profit, small or large, that want to take part.
“We can work with South Cheshire Chamber to apply to the scheme as a group which will also give the added benefit of people able to work together to support smaller employers to offer the skill development side of things.”
Eddisbury MP Edward Timpson said: “We cannot allow young people to be left behind as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, and schemes like this are vital for creating jobs and giving young people the skills to access them.
“I’m delighted that the Conservative Government is putting young people at the heart of its plans to build back stronger after the pandemic, and hope as many as possible in Eddisbury are able to take part.”
To register visit https://www.drkieranmullan.org.uk/news/get-board-kickstart-scheme
(Image courtesy of Pixabay)
