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Kickstart Scheme

The objective

The government is introducing a new Kickstart Scheme to fund the direct creation of high quality jobs for young people at the highest risk of long- term unemployment. It will give young people the chance to build their confidence and skills in the workplace, and to gain experience that will improve their chances of going on to find long- term, sustainable work.

How it works
The government will launch the new Kickstart Scheme in Great Britain, a £2 billion fund to create hundreds of thousands of high quality 6-month work placements aimed at those aged 16-24 who are on Universal Credit and are deemed to be at risk of long-term unemployment.
Funding available for each job will cover 100% of the relevant National Minimum Wage for 25 hours a week, plus the associated employer National Insurance contributions and employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions.

The benefits
For each ‘Kickstarter’ job, the government will:
Cover the cost of 25 hours’ work a week at the National Minimum Wage
£4.55 for under 18s
£6.45 for 18 to 20-year-olds
£8.20 for 21 to 24-year-olds
Employers will also be able to top up that payment if they wish

How we can support employers with the KickStart Scheme

  • Acting as a gateway provider 
  • Helping employers to understand & access funding
  • Preparing candidates for job applications & interviews
  • Providing a dedicated 1:1 learning mentor for KickStart employees 
  • Delivering relevant & flexible training courses 
  • Focusing on KickStart employee retention & progression

This scheme will sit alongside a guaranteed foundation of support through an expanded Youth Offer delivered through the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP), providing a range of targeted support to help young people find lasting work.

To learn more about the Kickstart Scheme or to sign-up, contact Rachel.Juniper@acorntraining.co.uk / 07495 913 007

Acorn & Kickstart Poster (2)

Kickstart Case study
An Early Years employer, with over 50 employees across five nursery settings in the South Manchester area approached Acorn Training to discuss the Kickstart Scheme as they had a new vacancy to fill. Acorn’s Kickstart expert, Rachel, began proceedings by telephoning the employer to understand their business and scope out requirements for the new member of staff. Rachel explained that the scheme would cover the employee’s wage for up to 25 hours a week and was able to help the employer access the funding for the newly created role.


The employer wanted to ensure the role would reflect their core business values, delivering high-quality care and education for all children who attend their setting. Rachel was keen to learn about the role of the Nursery Assistant and ensured the main responsibilities of the job were defined so she could match the right person to the job. The desired criteria for the candidate included excellent verbal and communication skills with children, parents, and other professionals, ability to keep clear and accurate written records, empathy and understanding of children under five, excellent organisational skills, basic IT skills, able to work as part of a team or on own initiative and finally, a calm and caring nature.


On the same day, referred by the Job Centre Plus, a 20-year-old female who had been out of work for two years was introduced to Rachel to help secure a role in a child care setting. The individual had previous work experience in a retail environment and had recently developed a passion for caring for children after looking after the children of her family and friends. At the time of the referral, the candidate lacked confidence in herself but through gentle yet inspiring coaching by Rachel, they worked together to update her CV, practice interview techniques including those specific to zoom and discuss skills development. Rachel was able to find synergies between the candidate’s personal and professional experience and the desired criteria set by the employer.


The following day Rachel liaised with the employer and the candidate to organise a suitable time for a zoom interview. The employer was humbled by the candidate and saw real talent within so invited her in for a face to face interview, this was then followed by a one-day trial at one of their childcare
settings. The candidate was successful in securing the Nursery Assistant role and will be supported by both the employer and Acorn Training. The candidate will attend fortnightly reviews to monitor and track progress in both the role and her employability status. Rachel also remains on hand as a learning mentor to focus on retention and progression where possible.


Rachel was able to unite the requirements of the employer and the needs of the candidate to ensure a suitable match. Acorn Training’s position as a gateway provider to the Kickstart Scheme enabled Rachel to be well placed to deliver the experienced recruitment and employability support required to meet the goals and aspirations of both the young person and the employer.

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