TRADE ASS
ASSOCIATION OF CO
ACS responds to Kickstart Scheme consultation
The trade body made recommendations on how the Department for Work and Pensions can support job creation in the convenience sector.
T
he Association of Convenience Stores has responded to a consultation on the government’s Kickstart Scheme, which provides retailers with funding to create new job placements and training for 16-24-year-olds on Universal Credit and deemed at risk of long-term unemployment. The trade association made several recommendations for how the Department for Work and Pensions can support job creation in the convenience sector: ● Consistent turnaround times for DWP administration and feedback on applications for funding. ● A more proactive DWP role to foster and encourage effective local
partnerships for jobs between retailers, candidates, and training providers. ● Adapting employer resources for different business audiences.
The latest ACS Voice of Local Shops Survey in April showed that 16% of retailers were participating in the scheme, 24% had applied but not yet started placements, and 20% would be interested in offering opportunities. ACS Chief Executive, James Lowman, said: “Convenience stores provide local, secure and flexible employment opportunities to hundreds of thousands of people across the UK and the introduction of the Kickstart Scheme has supported job creation in the sector.
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“We are calling for the DWP to work to foster local partnerships between employers, candidates and training providers. With these changes, the scheme
