Kickstart is a £2 billion fund to create hundreds of thousands of high quality, six-month paid work placements for young people aged 16-24, who are claiming Universal Credit and at risk of long term unemployment.
The scheme is subsidised. The government will cover 100% of the minimum wage, national insurance and pension contributions for a maximum of 25 hours a week — with employers able to top up wages.
Employers wishing to apply directly for funding must be able to offer a minimum of 30 job placements. Many within the VCSE sector will not be able to provide this many placements - this is where GMCVO intends to help.
GMCVO has registered interest with the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) in becoming an intermediary. Intermediaries will check that the job placements are eligible and submit applications for funding on behalf of multiple employers.
GMCVO wants to hear from VCSE sector organisations and businesses who believe they could commit to providing high quality work placements, who alone could not offer 30 placements.
To express your interest in working with GMCVO as an intermediary, please click here. The link also explains more about the role of intermediaries on the Kickstart scheme.