- Over 100,000 young people have started jobs via the
Government’s Kickstart scheme
- Young people in all corners of the country supported to get
their first foot on the career ladder, with many turning
placements into permanent roles
- Employers have until 17th December to apply for
funding to take on a young person via the scheme
Over 100,000 young people across the country have now started
jobs through the government’s landmark Kickstart scheme, it was
announced today (Tuesday 16th November).
To mark the milestone, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
Thérèse Coffey is visiting luxury supercar maker McLaren
Automotive’s McLaren Production Centre in Woking. The company has
taken on its first cohort of young people through Kickstart, with
roles on offer including colour and materials design, prototype
build technicians, and studio engineering assistants.
Launched as part of the Government’s Plan for Jobs, Kickstart has
helped young people in all corners of the country to develop new
skills, build confidence, and get a crucial first foot on the
career ladder, with jobs at a huge range of UK employers
including Yorkshire Water, Pinewood Studios, JD Sports, EFL
football clubs, and SeaGrown, the UK’s first offshore seaweed
farm.
An average of over 3,400 young people started Kickstart jobs each
week over the last month, with the scheme recently extended to
give even more young people the platform for future career
success.
Secretary of State for the Department for Work and
Pensions, Thérèse Coffey said:
“Employers like McLaren Automotive are giving young people the
chance to get on the jobs ladder.
“Having hit the 100,000 milestone, we are now on the last lap and
I encourage employers and young people to take advantage of this
opportunity as we head towards the finish line of the great
Kickstart scheme”.
Chancellor of the Exchequer, said:
“Our future success depends on our young people, which is why we
introduced the Kickstart Scheme to give them the skills,
experience and opportunities they need to reach their full
potential.
“I’ve seen first-hand how it has transformed people’s lives, so I
am proud that 100,000 young people have started Kickstart jobs,
with the scheme continuing to help young people into next year as
we emerge from the pandemic.”
For many young people, the scheme has provided the springboard
they needed to secure permanent jobs. One of those is Sunnie
Fraser, who secured a full-time role at creative marketing agency
Bump following her Kickstart placement.
Sunnie said:
“The Kickstart scheme has been an incredibly monumental
experience for me, completing my degree during a pandemic
felt hopeless considering the lack of
career opportunities in the creative industry, so
this was a life changing scheme to be involved in.”
“During my short time in the role I have now begun managing a
team and being involved in all the administrative processes
of a small business, developing a skill set that will aid me
in future endeavours.”
Another success story is Kirsty White, one of the first
Kickstarters taken on at The Royal Mint in Pontyclun, Wales.
Having impressed during her time on the Kickstart scheme, Kirsty
now works full-time as a Sales and Customer Service advisor in
The Royal Mint’s Collector Services division.
Kirsty said:
“I was so pleased to find the Kickstart scheme and be offered a
place at The Royal Mint. Entering the world of work
was daunting but since starting the job my confidence
and customer service skills have soared, and I was delighted to
be offered a permanent role after finishing my placement. I
wouldn’t be where I am now without the help of my Work Coach and
Kickstart.”
Kickstart employees at McLaren are among the thousands of young
people who have benefitted from employability support delivered
by the Prince’s Trust as part of their role.
The Prince’s Trust said:
“Being out of work can be an incredibly difficult experience for
young people, knocking their confidence and impacting their
employment long into the future. At the Prince’s Trust, we are
proud to help employers across the UK like McLaren Automotive
make the most of the Kickstart scheme by providing the necessary
wraparound support to help thousands of young people excel in
their new roles.”
“Kickstart is giving many young people the boost they need to
build their confidence and skills, and we must keep our foot on
the pedal to help even more young people find work and get their
lives back on track.”
Ruth
Nic Aoidh, Executive Director of Purchasing, Commercial,
Government Affairs & Legal at McLaren Automotive
said:
“We recognise the importance of getting more young people back
into work and are delighted that McLaren Automotive has
contributed to the significant 100,000 milestone.
“With the support of training provider The Prince’s Trust, we are
able to boost young people’s employability skills while giving
them in an insight into a range of exciting roles involved in
creating and building our supercars.”
The Kickstart Scheme provides six-month jobs for young people
aged 16 to 24 years old currently claiming Universal Credit and
at risk of long-term unemployment.
Employers have until 17th December to apply to offer
positions through the scheme, with young people able to start
roles up until 31 March 2022.
