Chesterfield businesses help young people to get on the career ladder thanks to employment scheme

Chesterfield Escape Rooms, which opened in May, has used the Government-backed Kickstart employment programme – aimed at 16 to 24-year-olds on Universal Credit or at risk of long-term unemployment – to hire six games masters among its 16 employees.

It applied for funding to create the initial six-month placements via East Midlands Chamber, which is a Kickstart gateway organisation and has worked with Chesterfield Borough Council to promote the scheme’s benefits.

Nick Hogan, who owns the escape room business, said he had initially considered employing people on zero-hour contracts due to the unknown nature of bookings, but felt this wouldn’t help to build a workforce with a “sense of belonging”.

“When Kickstart came along, it allowed me to recruit and be selective in the recruitment process,” he said.

"The younger generation is tomorrow’s workforce and unless we give the opportunities to succeed, our businesses won’t survive.”

James Bryan, from Chesterfield, is one of the Kickstart employees whose role involves customer service, sales and running the games at the new Chesterfield games venue.

The 21-year-old, who was previously a freelance actor, writer and radio editor, said: “I can already feel I’ve gained more confidence in speaking to customers and leading games.

“The scheme is wonderful for our generation in these strange times, and it’s most definitely helped me.”

Laura Maskrey, from Matlock, joined Brampton-based digital marketing agency Brighter Directions as a social media executive.

The 25-year-old English language and linguistics graduate was previously placed on furlough and then made redundant from her job in marketing and communications before she began applying for Kickstart vacancies.

She added: “My placement will have a positive impact on my job prospects as I have learned a huge amount in short space of time, which has improved my confidence and mental health dramatically from being unemployed.”

The Department for Work and Pensions funds 100% of the National Minimum Wage, national insurance and pensions contributions for 25 hours a week over a six-month period.

Employers can top up this wage and are also eligible for a £1,500 Government grant for training people on a Kickstart placement.

East Midlands Chamber has secured more than 3,000 placements among almost 800 businesses located in Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and other areas and there are still 2,000 vacancies.

Deputy chief executive and Kickstart lead Diane Beresford said: “Businesses taking part are playing a vital role in their communities by supporting and preparing our future workforce, while they also benefit from a relatively risk-free opportunity to trial new roles that could lead to future growth.”

East Midlands Chamber has worked with Chesterfield Borough Council to hold information sessions for businesses.

The council’s deputy leader Councillor Amanda Serjeant added: “Kickstart offers a fantastic opportunity for young people to increase their experience in the workplace, which will help them develop new skills and build a career.

“I’d encourage any young person currently looking for work to apply for these opportunities because you never know where it may lead.”

All Kickstart roles must begin by 31 December this year, with funding provided until 30 June 2022.

Businesses interested in applying should email [email protected] or call 0333 320 0333 (Ext 2241).

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