The scheme went live at the beginning of this month. It is part of the government’s Plan for Jobs and aims to create “hundreds and thousands of new, fully funded jobs across England, Scotland and Wales”, targeting young people aged 16-24 who are at risk of long-term unemployment.

To be eligible, they must currently be claiming Universal Credit.

The job placements are for six months and the funding covers 100% of the relevant National Minimum Wage for 25 hours a week; plus associated employer National Insurance contributions and minimum automatic enrolment contributions.

Applications for grants under the scheme need to be for a minimum of 30 job placements, but smaller firms can still apply by grouping together to pool the number of placements and this is where the BPIF comes in.

The federation, acting as the industry’s representative body, will apply on behalf of multiple print businesses so that companies of all sizes can still access the grant.

Print firms wanting to engage with the scheme do not need to be BPIF members.

Information on the BPIF process and application form can be found here.

Printweek’s sister title HR magazine has also produced a handy guide to the scheme.

The Department for Work & Pensions said extra funding would also be available “to support young people to build their experience and help them move into sustained employment” after they have completed their Kickstart Scheme funded job.

The first Kickstart placements are likely to be available from November.