Yahoo Finance UK government's Kickstart scheme creates 19,000 jobs for young
The UK government’s Kickstart jobs scheme has created 19,000 jobs for out-of-work young people since its launch at the start of September.
The Treasury said on Thursday that 19,672 16-to-24 year olds had found work through the scheme in sectors as diverse as film and TV to fitness and the charity sector. Over 4,500 employers have so far signed up to take part in the scheme.
“Every job created by the Kickstart Scheme is a potentially life-changing opportunity for a young person, and the heartening response of employers shows they recognise the huge value in giving youth a chance,” work and pensions secretary Therese Coffey said in a statement.
“Employers from all corners of the country have signed up, creating thousands of new and interesting jobs and helping us to level up as we build back better.”
READ MORE: Government's £2bn 'Kickstart' youth jobs scheme launches
Companies taking part in the scheme include Tesco, Domino’s Pizza, LadBible, Network Rail, The Royal Mint, and Farrow & Ball.
The government set up the Kickstarter scheme in September as a means of offering targeted support to young people struggling to get into the jobs market as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Out of work 16-to-24 year olds can get six week paid placements at participating employers, with the government covering all of their wages. Employers can also claim up to £1,500 from the government to cover the costs of uniforms and other expenses.
“The pandemic has hit young people hard, but we are doing everything in our power to give them hope and the chance to find their place in the world of work,” Coffey said.
The Kickstart scheme is set to run until December 2021 and hopes to create a quarter of a million placements for young people. The government has budgeted £2bn ($2.6bn) for the scheme.
READ MORE: More than 500 organisations sign up for government's Kickstart Scheme
“Our country’s future will be built by the next generation, so it’s vital that we harness the talent of young people as we rebuild from the pandemic,” chancellor Rishi Sunak said.
“But this isn’t just about kickstarting our economy, we’re giving opportunity and hope to thousands of young people, kickstarting their careers and offering them a brighter future.”
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