New DWP Kickstart scheme could open up recruitment opportunities

With attracting new entrants to the pig sector an increasingly important and difficult challenge, members might be interested in the Department for Work and Pension's new Kickstart scheme.

The scheme pays employers £1.5k to take on, develop and support a young person (16-24) who has struggled to gain employment  for six months.

The young people will be found through the Job Centres and DWP will pay their wages during this period, too. 

Thousands of employers across the private, public and not-for-profit sectors have already applied for funding, which covers:

• 100% of the National Minimum Wage or the National Living Wage for 25 hours per week for a total of 6 months
• associated employer National Insurance contributions
• minimum automatic enrolment pension contributions
• a grant of £1,500 per job to cover setup costs and employability support.

You can apply directly online or through a Kickstart gateway, which will act as an intermediary and apply for funding on your behalf.

Businesses need to apply by October - for more information and how to apply visit gov.uk/kickstart.

DWP is running a series of webinars to introduce employers to the benefits of the Kickstart Scheme. To attend, register for free on eventbrite.