Composites UK is working to enable the composites industry to benefit from the new Government Kickstart Gateway scheme.

The Kickstart Scheme provides funding to employers to create new six-month job placements for young people who are currently on Universal Credit and at risk of long-term unemployment. You can offer from one placement upwards.

Composites UK  will work with the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to facilitate the application process. Job placements will be checked for eligibility and then sent on for funding on the company’s behalf.

Companies do not need to be a member of Composites UK to take part in the scheme.

The job placements created with Kickstart funding must be new jobs. They must not:

• Replace existing or planned vacancies
• Cause existing employees or contractors to lose or reduce their employment

Through the scheme, companies will be able to access a large pool of young people with potential, ready for an opportunity. Candidates will apply for the job placements and companies can choose who to employ. Companies will only obtain funding if they appoint a young person from the pool on offer.

Funding available for each job will cover the relevant National Minimum Wage for 25 hours a week, plus the associated employer National Insurance contributions and employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions. There will also be funding available to support young people to develop new skills and to help them move into sustained employment after they have completed their Kickstart funded job.

To get involved please contact Composites UK on info@compositesuk.co.uk.