The Kickstart scheme, which launched earlier this month, enables employers to offer fully funded six-month work placements to 16-24 year olds that are claiming Universal Credit.
The free webinar will take place at 3pm next Tuesday (29 September) and will be hosted BPIF Training managing director Karly Lattimore, who is spearheading the Fed’s support for the initiative.
“We are encouraging anyone who is thinking of advertising a Kickstart placement to attend the webinar so we can make really clear the eligibility criteria,” she said.
“There is widespread confusion about who you can hire under the scheme, as well as if the scheme can be used in conjunction with any other incentives – we want to take this confusion away so businesses can swiftly take advantage of the scheme to build their workforce."
The free BPIF webinar will give an overview of how Kickstart works, answer many of the frequently asked questions and detail the application support the BPIF offers, which is open to members and non-members alike. It will also share best practice examples of how the scheme employers and young people.
In the session, Lattimore will also give an overview of the other schemes that are covered by the government’s Plan for Jobs initiative.
The government Kickstart 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.
Lattimore said the BPIF webinar will be invaluable to companies of all sizes: “The scheme isn’t just for larger employers; businesses of any size can get involved in creating a Kickstart placement and we actually see this as huge opportunity for smaller employers to create roles that will really give their business a boost; something they would not otherwise have been able to do.”
The BPIF is just about to submit its first applications on behalf of employers, and should hear back within four weeks.
“We aim to make the process as easy as possible, removing the burden from employers and supporting them every step of the way,” said Lattimore.
Applications for grants need to be for a minimum of 30 job placements, but smaller firms can still apply by grouping together to via trade bodies and intermediaries such as the BPIF and IPIA.
To register for the free webinar, visit the BPIF website.
