- Following the creation of 130,000 Kickstart jobs during the
pandemic, employers are investing further in these young people
by offering skilled apprenticeships
- Recognising the benefits of recruiting from Jobcentres,
employers are keeping former jobseekers on as apprentices to
gain sector specific qualifications while they work
- Comes as National Apprenticeship Week apprenticeships can
springboard young people into the next stage of their career
Latest data shows over 130,000 young people have now started
roles with the government’s Kickstart scheme, with many staying
on as apprentices when their Kickstart jobs end, providing the
skills that businesses and individuals need to grow and progress.
From football coaching, to trade merchants and biotech, employers
involved in the flagship scheme have discovered the wealth of
talent that’s available through the national network of
Jobcentres and recognised the value young employees add to their
business.
Minister for Employment, said:
“I’ve heard from committed employers up and down the country
about the brilliant young people they’re keeping on, after they
found employment through our Kickstart scheme.
“It’s fantastic to hear that we’ve now got 130,000 young people
into jobs where they can progress, including into
apprenticeships, and we’re committed to help even more businesses
boost their workforces with the job-ready talent at our
Jobcentres.”
Travis Perkins is the UK’s biggest builder merchant and is just
one of the thousands of companies that is celebrating their
apprentices this National Apprentice Week, including dozens who
have been kept on after their Kickstart job.
After employing hundreds of young people through the Kickstart
scheme across their stores nationwide, Travis Perkins has already
offered over 70 top candidates places on their apprenticeships
programme. This allows them to work towards
achieving various qualifications including L2 Trade Suppler,
L3 Business Administration and L4 Sales Executive and reach
the next level in their careers.
Tony Dawson, Kickstart Manager and Safeguarding Lead at
Travis Perkins
“We are thrilled with our ongoing relationship with DWP,
developed by our hugely successful Kickstart offer. This
relationship now covers all 3 nations and gives our stores access
to new recruitment pipelines and initiatives. Kickstart has been
a fantastic opportunity for us to identify new talent and bring
them into our existing apprenticeship programme.”
As part of the English Football League Trust network’s commitment
to improving employment opportunities, fourteen young people have
scored full-time apprenticeships following their Kickstart
placements including sports coaching, to groundskeeping and
event management.
That includes 19-year-old Taylor Oakley, whose Kickstart scheme
at Stoke City has led her to accept a Level 2 Community Activator
apprenticeship, with views to soon progress to Level 3 and then
into further education with a foundation degree.
Mike Evans, CEO of EFL Trust
“We have been delighted to provide hundreds of Kickstart
placements to young unemployed people at 65 EFL Clubs across the
country, as part of our commitment to supporting young people
into employment.
“It is fantastic news that some have now decided to move into
apprenticeships within our network, and we look forward to see
them continue their development and launch bright futures with
us.”
Meanwhile in East Kilbride, Angel Guard, a biotech company, has
offered five of their Kickstart graduates apprenticeships, giving
them skills and qualifications including diplomas in Digital
Marketing, Software Development and other specialist coding,
design and programming qualifications.
Amongst their young apprentices is Becca, who had previously
found her hearing loss to be an obstacle in her job-hunt, but was
able to overcome this when she landed a role with the Kickstart
scheme – which, in turn, has launched her Graphic Design career.
Elaine Waggott, Operations Director and Owner at Angel
Guard
“The Kickstart scheme is just the beginning of the journey for
our young employees like Becca. We have made the decision to
enrol them in the QA apprenticeships as we believe that by
investing in our Kickstart Graduates, this will not only benefit
their career opportunities, but also enrich the knowledge and
commercial value they bring to our company.”
Apprenticeships are designed and developed by industry, so they
provide the skills that businesses and individuals need to grow.
They are a key way businesses are able to train new joiners,
including former jobseekers hired through the Kickstart scheme,
so they can rise up the ranks more quickly.
Earlier this month, with vacancies at a record-high, the
Government set a target to get half a million jobseekers into
work, as part of its Way to Work programme. This comes as the
economy saw another hike in people on payrolls last month. DWP
continues to work closely with businesses across the country to
encourage them to reach out to their local Jobcentres and
recruit.
