Have you heard about the Government’s new Kickstart Scheme, which will provide six months’ paid work experience to young people? The intention is that Harborough Innovation Centre will act as a Gateway for employers and young people within Harborough District to access this scheme.

The Kickstart Scheme is part of the Government’s ‘Plan for Jobs’, which was announced in July 2020. The scheme aims to create hundreds and thousands of new six-month job placements with employers. The placements will be funded by the Government in order to give young people at risk of long term employment the opportunity to gain valuable work experience and skills.

The scheme is open to any limited company, registered charity and public body. If businesses are able to offer more than 30 placements they can apply directly, but we anticipate that most businesses would offer less, so would have to apply through a Gateway, such as Harborough Innovation Centre.

Businesses are being invited to join Harborough District Council’s economic development staff and a representative from the Department of Work and Pensions to learn more about the scheme, ask questions and find out how they can apply through the Harborough Innovation Centre/Harborough District Council via a webinar next Monday 12 October 2 – 3pm. You can find out about the webinar and see more details on the scheme.