Who can apply

You can use the Kickstart Scheme to create new 6-month job placements for young people who are currently on Universal Credit and at risk of long-term unemployment.

You must make sure the roles are eligible for the scheme.

How to apply

You can submit your application online.

If you are applying for 30 or more job placements, you can apply directly.

If you are applying for less than 30 job placements, you can find someone to apply for you. They can submit an application on your behalf, using other employers to create 30 or more job placements in one application.

What you need to provide during the application

You will need:

  • the Companies House reference number or Charity Commission number
  • the organisation address and contact details
  • details of the job placements and their location

Supporting information about how the job placements are new jobs

We need to know that the job placements are new jobs and do not:

  • replace existing or planned vacancies
  • cause existing employees, apprentices or contractors to lose or reduce their employment

You can do this by telling us:

  • about changes to your workforce in the last 6 months and why (for example redundancies and changes to hours worked by existing staff)
  • the number of people affected by changes to your workforce in the last 6 months as well as the size of your overall workforce
  • about the kinds of roles, functions and average salary of those who were made redundant or who had their hours reduced in the last 6 months
  • if you would be able to create these job placements without Kickstart Scheme funding and what funding source you would use
  • what recruitment you have completed, started or paused in the last 6 months, including how similar these vacancies are or were to the roles you are creating for the Kickstart Scheme
  • if the job placements will be similar to existing or planned roles or the roles previously done by those made redundant or with fewer working hours, why you are using Kickstart Scheme funding to create similar roles
  • if you’ve engaged with any relevant trade unions and any advice they have given

Supporting information about how the organisation can help develop employability skills of young people

We need to know how you or the organisation you are representing will help the participants to develop their skills and experience.

You can do this by telling us:

  • what support will be offered (for example helping them with writing their CV and preparing for an interview)
  • when you will provide this support (for example half way through their placement or towards the end)
  • how many hours it will take
  • who will provide the support (for example you may already have a pre-existing relationship with training providers)
  • how you will monitor the support given to the participant to ensure they will be more employable at the end of their job placement
  • how the participant can provide feedback during their placement and afterwards, and how this will be acted on if needed

There is £1,500 of funding available for each job placement to set up support and training, as well as helping pay for uniforms and other setup costs.