Chesterfield college helps employers access £2million to create more jobs for young people

A bricklaying student at Chesterfield College.

Chesterfield College is helping employers make the most of the Government’s Kickstart scheme, which could provide funding to grow their workforce and help young people into employment.

The college is now a provider and intermediary of the scheme, helping businesses in all sectors to get access to their share of £2billion of funding to provide meaningful six-month job placements for 16 to 24-year-olds.

The scheme was launched earlier this year as part of a recovery package of measures outlined by chancellor Rishi Sunak.

It offers employers a means of growing their workforce with a talent pool of people looking for a route into employment.

The WorkSkills team at Chesterfield College is working with employers to apply for funding, liaise with JobCentrePlus, choose the right candidates, and provide any additional training needs alongside the job placements.

Lee Kirton, WorkSkills delivery manager at Chesterfield College, said: “This a fantastic opportunity for employers of all sizes to grow their workforce and access a large pool of candidates with potential and ambition, ready for an opportunity to kick start their career.

"Our expertise of working with employers, young people and JobCentrePlus will give employers the best chance of accessing this pot of funding and benefiting from the Kickstart scheme.

"We are passionate about working together to create meaningful job placements for young people to develop in.”

Funding available for each job will cover the relevant national minimum wage, plus National Insurance contributions and any auto-enrolment pension costs for up to 25 hours a week.

Employers will be able to benefit from a fully-funded new member of staff, but they can also choose to top up and pay above the minimum wage or cover the costs beyond 25 hours per week.

For more information about the rules of Kickstart scheme and how to access funding working with Chesterfield College, visit www.chesterfield.ac.uk.