Ahead of the Chancellor’s announcement tomorrow regarding changes
to the Kickstart scheme, the Co-Chairs of the Young
Employment Group (YEG) highlight the importance of ensuring
young people receive quality support and work placement
experiences, and call for the Government to commit to extending
the scheme past the December application deadline.
The Chairs of the Youth Employment Group said:
“Today the Government announced a removal of the minimum number
of job placements an employer must create to apply to the
Kickstart Scheme.
Smaller employers may need help in knowing where to turn to for
quality employability support, to reduce the administrative
burden on SMEs, and spend the additional £1500 effectively to
help move young people into sustained work. The Government also
needs to ensure that the placements being approved are quality
opportunities for young people in the geographies and sectors
where they are most needed.
The latest numbers of young people on Kickstart show that many
employers have had no choice but to delay their placements given
the continuing disruption of lockdowns. Logistically, it will be
very challenging for businesses to meet the intended number of
placements in such a reduced period. Extending Kickstart beyond
December will give all employers engaged in the scheme the time
they need to fulfil their plans and offer thousands more young
people the opportunity of employment.”
Samantha Windett (Director of Policy, Impetus), Tony Wilson
(Director, Institute for Employment Studies), Richard Rigby (Head
of Policy and Public Affairs, The Prince’s Trust), Laura-Jane
Rawlings (Chief Executive Officer, Youth Employment UK), Anna
Smee (Chief Executive Officer, Youth Futures Foundation).
Five reasons to extend Kickstart
Make up for lost (lockdown) time
Many employers have had no choice but to delay their placements
(6-8-week delays are common). It’s logistically very challenging
for them to play catch-up / cram the same number of intended
placements into a reduced period. They need more time.
The problem won’t be fixed by December
Even in an optimistic scenario where hiring booms from the summer
onwards, we know there’s never a quick fix for those at the back
of the queue. Research shows how the ‘recovery years’ are not
experienced by all. Recessions are longer and deeper for young
people without higher qualifications. Whilst we hope youth
unemployment will fall this year, ‘long-term’ youth unemployment
may not fall until next year. Helping those at the back of the
queue in 2022 is the best way to get value from the billions
invested in Kickstart.
Secure its legacy
The DWP commitment to evaluate and adapt Kickstart provides a
golden opportunity to develop a government response fit for
future labour market crises. But continuous improvement requires
time. It requires data about young people’s experience and their
outcomes, which will now be delayed. If the programme can run for
longer, even at a reduced scale, the learning gained will be
transformational when the next crisis comes. This can secure the
legacy of Kickstart.
Three is the magic number
When Kickstart was first announced, employers saw the opportunity
to plan for three six-month cohorts, spanning 18 months. If they
were quick, it was possible. Lockdown now makes this very
unlikely. An extension would bring a three-cohort plan back to
the table and reward the efforts the Government has already made
to engage employers.
A route to apprenticeships
Several employers are commencing Kickstart placements in March
2021 with the aim of taking these young people into their
September apprenticeship intake. It’s a good idea. Extending
Kickstart would enable this to happen twice. It could help turn
the tide on the lack of apprenticeships going to NEET young
people. And for those not recruited to apprenticeships, T Levels
could be the answer.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
About the YEG
In response to the crisis, Impetus, Youth Futures Foundation,
Youth Employment UK, the Institute for Employment Studies and The
Prince’s Trust formed the Youth Employment Group (YEG). The YEG
brings together over 180 leading organisations around the youth
employment sector to help drive the UK’s response.
