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Kickstart Scheme
Kickstart scheme goes live
If you are hiring or considering hiring extra staff, South East London Chamber of Commerce can help you make the most of government funding to ease your wage bill.
In September ministers announced the £2 billion Kickstart scheme, an incentive for businesses to help at-risk young people get back into work. The scheme will begin in November and run initially until the end of next year.
Kickstart is an attempt to create hundreds of thousands of high-quality, six-month work placements for young people aged between 16 and 24. Under the scheme, the government will fund all of the costs of the wage of 16 to 24-year-olds who are claiming universal credit and at risk of long-term unemployment who are hired by employers. It will cover 100% of the minimum wage, national insurance and pension contributions for a maximum of 25 hours a week - with firms able to top up wages.
The job placements should support the participants to develop the skills and experience they need to find work after completing the scheme.
As an incentive, the government is offering businesses up to £1,500 towards set-up support, training and the cost of uniforms. Any business, regardless of size, can apply for funding. The job placements created with Kickstart funding must be new jobs. They must not replace existing or planned vacancies or cause existing employees or contractors to lose or reduce their employment.
The roles must be made available for a minimum of 25 hours per week for six months, paid at least the national minimum wage for their age group, and should not require people to undertake extensive training before they begin the job placement.
Each application should include how you will help the participants to develop their skills and experience, including:
Support to look for longterm work, including career advice and setting goals
Support with CV and interview preparations
Supporting the participant with basic skills, such as attendance, timekeeping and teamwork
Once a job placement is created, it can be taken up by a second person once the first successful applicant has completed their six-month term.
Businesses looking to offer fewer than 30 Kickstart roles have to apply through a representative organisation, such as a local Chamber of Commerce. Funding is available following a successful application process. Simply contact the Chamber to apply.
Jane Gratton, head of people policy at British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), says: “At a time when cashflow is tight, this fully funded scheme will help employers bring young people into the workplace and develop new talent for the future.
“Rooted in local business communities, Chambers of Commerce understand employers’ growth aspirations,
and will be working to bring companies and young people together to create new jobs.”
If your organisation is creating fewer than 30 job placements, we can help you do this, as you are not eligible to apply directly. We are collating businesses for DWP/government, bringing them together for those who want to create fewer than 30 placements.
To register you interest, contact the Chamber and we will get back to you with further information. office@selondonchamber.org
If your organisation is creating more than 30 job placements as part of the Kickstart Scheme, you can submit your application directly.
College puts on extra courses to meet post-Covid 19 skills demand
With so many people inspired by amazing NHS workers over the past few month, London South East Colleges is offering additional courses to meet increased demand from people wanting to study health and social care this September.
In addition, extra construction courses - plumbing, carpentry and engineering - are also being added to help meet the Government’s ambitious targets for house building and other large infrastructure projects across London to boost the economy.
With the Covid-19 pandemic adversely affecting some industries, London South East Colleges is working closely with employers to understand newly emerging skills needs and where career opportunities are available.
Health and Social care was already experiencing skills gaps before Covid-19, but now demand is greater than ever. Currently there is a shortage of over 100,000 full-time equivalent staff in the NHS and a further 122,000 in adult social care; by 2035 there will be around 950,000 new adult social care workers needed and the King’s Fund suggests the NHS workforce gap could reach almost 250,000 by 2030.
Experts also forecast that around 203,000 people with engineering skills are needed every year and around 168,500 construction jobs will be created by 2023.
Deputy CEO and Principal at London South East Colleges, David Lambert, says: “As a college, we are working hard to be flexible and responsive to the changing skills needs across London. As the economy recovers from the effects of Covid-19, it’s vital that young people have the support and guidance they need to access fulfilling jobs. This will benefit them as well as the wider economy.
“We have identified courses where we have seen increased demand for places in these key sectors – construction and Health & Social Care - and put an additional 30% provision in these areas. This will ensure that we can give young people the opportunity to progress into the career of their choice, where lots of jobs exist.
“It’s been a challenging time for so many young people, with exams cancelled and much uncertainty over next steps. However, we are here to support students into a range of exciting pathways and give them hope that they can still achieve career success.”
London South East Colleges has courses to suit people of all ages, interests and abilities. Visit LSEC.ac.uk to enrol online NOW or call 020 3954 4000 to speak to one of our career advisors about the best option for you.
The big return! London South East Colleges safely welcomes back its students
After a busy summer of preparations across its campuses, London South East Colleges has welcomed its new intake of students and brought learning back to the classroom.
Following the lockdown in March, all courses were transferred online and students were supported remotely by their tutors. In line with Government guidelines, small numbers of students returned to campus in June and the college is now preparing for a full return in September.
To ensure the safety of staff and students, new measures have been introduced at every college campus - from hand sanitising stations to reduced group sizes. The new Covid-safe environment focuses on limiting the number of students on site at one time, including: •
Reduced group sizes in college classrooms and workshops Staggered start and finish times as well as lunch and breaks
Mandatory face coverings for students and staff in all communal areas
Adjusted methods of delivery, including high-quality blended learning (online and face to face)
Alternation of attendance in college buildings to reduce the number of students in at any one time Close monitoring of participation for all students being taught online to ensure full attendance and participation
