Local businesses are being offered the opportunity to gain financial support by creating a job placement for talented young adults as part of a national initiative backed by St Helens Borough Council.
The government’s Kickstart scheme provides funding to employers to create six-month job placements for 16 to 24-year olds on Universal Credit at risk of long-term unemployment, with St Helens Borough Council’s Ways to Work team helping deliver the programme locally as a gateway organisation.
For each placement, the government will fund salaries for 25 hours per week, paid at the national minimum wage – as well as applicable national insurance and employer pension contributions.
Any additional working hours will be paid by the employer.
Commenting on the benefits of local businesses taking up the offer, Andrew Beresford, Delivery Coordinator for the council’s Ways to Work programme, which has supported hundreds of residents during the coronavirus pandemic, said:
“The Kickstart scheme is a brilliant opportunity for businesses of all sizes looking for additional staff members to nurture young people so that they can develop the skills and experience required to find work after completing the scheme.
“This past year has had a devastating impact on the economy which we as a council have responded to, whether it’s supporting people who have lost their jobs back into employment, those at risk of redundancy, or paying out various grants to businesses that have been hit hard financially.
“With more restrictions lifted, meaning businesses are now able to open again, initiatives like this are vital to the reset and recovery period as we look to build back better for this pandemic. As a gateway organisation, we will support businesses that register to the Kickstart scheme through us every step of the way with a full wrap-around support offer.”
For more information about the support St Helens Borough Council can offer, call 07872113654, email andrewberesford@sthelens.gov.uk or visit sthelens.gov.uk/waystowork
