Trade Associations

ASSOCIATION OF CONVENIENCE STORES

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.

The 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.

● Consistent turnaround times forDWP administration and feedbackon applications for funding.

● A more proactive DWP role to fosterand encourage effective local partnerships for jobs betweenretailers, candidates, and trainingproviders.

● Adapting employer resources fordifferent 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.

“We are calling for the DWP to work to foster local partnerships between employers, candidates and training providers. With these changes, the scheme should be used as a template to inform future job creation initiatives.”

More than 100,000 young people across the country have now started jobs through the government’s landmark Kickstart Scheme. Retailers wishing to participate in the scheme must apply for funding by 17 December and arrange placement start dates by 31 March 2022.

More information about the Kickstart Scheme, including guidance for employers, can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/kickstart-scheme].