Project to boost young Kirklees people's job prospects gets backing

Kickstart, which is managed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), will support six month of work placements for 25 hours per week, up until December 2021.

These will be paid at the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage dependent on the age of the participant.

The council has registered as a ‘gateway’ organisation to support employers who wish to participate but cannot meet the Government’s requirement to create 30 placements.

Councillor Shabir Pandor, Leader of the Council said: “Kickstart is a great opportunity for both young people and local employers to create something positive out of the COVID-19 pandemic. We know that young people in particular are bearing the brunt of unemployment, and the council, with our partners, will play our part in ensuring that the virus does not affect their longer-term career prospects.

"If you are a young person looking to boost your work experience, or a local employer looking to invest in the future, I urge you to get in touch with us, or one of the other gateway providers and see how Kickstart can help.”

Employers have a choice of provider in Kirklees. In addition to the council scheme, partners including the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Federation of Small Businesses are also Kickstart Gateways.

The council will work with partners including the DWP, C&K Careers, Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing, Kirklees Active Leisure, Third Sector Leaders, local Clinical Commissioning Groups, Huddersfield BID and other public, private and voluntary sector partners to create Kickstart placements and raise awareness of the scheme.

All young people participating in the council’s Kickstart programme will receive a wrap-around package of training and support to ensure their wellbeing and equip them with the skills they need to achieve a successful placement.

Participating employers will also receive support including a training allowance to provide specific on-the-job training.

Full details of the Kirklees Kickstart scheme, including an expression of interest form for employers, can be found here