In 2021, Selnet was approved as a Gateway provider for the Government’s Kickstart Scheme, providing funding to employers to create job placements for 16 to 24 year olds on Universal Credit.
We secured 47 placements with 18 employers. Following this, 8 young people were offered permanent roles from their placements, and 4 secured contract roles.
About the Kickstart Scheme
The Kickstart Scheme provided funding to create new job placements for 16 to 24 year olds on Universal Credit who were at risk of long term unemployment. Employers of all sizes could apply for funding which covered:
- 100% of the National Minimum Wage(or the National Living Wage depending on the age of the participant) for 25 hours per week for a total of 6 months
- associated employer National Insurance contributions
- employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions
Employers could spread the start date of the job placements up until the end of December 2021.
Selnet as a Gateway Provider
Selnet recognise that social enterprises across Lancashire are in a unique position to offer excellent opportunities to young people however this was unlikely to be at scale. In becoming a Gateway provider, Selnet aimed to make it easy for our members to get involved, whether that is for one placement or several.
What employers received
In addition to the wages cost, the Government provided further on-boarding costs of £1,500 per job placement. This was to support the young person with training and to help them become ‘job ready’, as well as helping with any set-up costs. Selnet was on-hand to advise employers how to make best use of this funding to ensure a positive outcome for all.
Historic Information
Job Placement Criteria
The job placements created must be new jobs. The placements must not:
- Replace existing or planned vacancies
- Cause existing employees, apprentices or contractors to lose work or reduce their working hours
The job placements must:
- Be a minimum of 25 hours per week, for 6 months
- Pay at least the national minimum wage or the national living wage for the employee’s age group
- Only require basic training
What is a Gateway
Gateway Representatives have been selected by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) as credible organisations with experience in managing partnerships agreements and have a robust financial and governance process to manage Kickstart placement procedures.
The DWP has checked and approved Selnet as a Kickstart Gateway using the Cabinet Office Spotlight Tool.
If you’re creating fewer than 30 job placements, as a Kickstart gateway Selnet can apply for a Kickstart Scheme grant for you.
This does not guarantee that you will get Kickstart Scheme funding. Your application will be assessed against the Kickstart Scheme criteria by DWP.
963 hits