How to Apply for the Kickstart Scheme for Roofing Companies

THE £2 BILLION Kickstart scheme is for employers who want to offer young people aged 16-24, and who are claiming Universal Credit, a six-month work placement.

The government will fully fund each Kickstart job – paying 100% of the age-relevant National Minimum Wage, National Insurance and pension contributions for 25 hours a week.

Employers can top up this wage, while the government will also pay employers £1500 to set up support and training for people on a Kickstart placement, as well as helping pay for uniforms and other set up costs.

The jobs will give young people – who are more likely to have been furloughed, with many working in sectors disproportionately hit by the pandemic – the opportunity to build their skills in the workplace and to gain experience to improve their chances of finding long-term work.

Applying for funding

There is no cap on the number of start places. However, only businesses offering 30 or more placements can apply for funding directly.

If you are offering fewer than 30 placements you can join with other businesses and apply for funding through a representative.

The National Federation of Roofing Contractors is intending to act as a representative if there is sufficient demand from roofing companies. Philip Campbell at the NFRC can be contacted on 020 7638 7663 for more information. Other roofing trade associations may also offer the scheme.

The scheme, which will be delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions will initially be open until December 2021, with the option of being extended.

Around 700,000 young people are set to leave education and enter the job market this year, with a quarter of a million more people aged under 25 claiming unemployment benefits since March.

Employers can find more information about the Kickstart scheme here.