Local MPs Sally-Ann Hart (Hastings and Rye) and Huw Merriman (Bexhill and Battle), visited the Department for Work and Pension's Youth Hub at East Sussex Coast College campus in Hastings, to see first-hand the work and support that is going on to help young people into employment.
The Hastings Youth Hub, which is one of two in the area with a second in Rye, is particularly focused on the Government’s Kickstart Scheme. This offers jobs to young people aged 16-24 helping them to get work and vital training from local employers. The work placements last for six months, providing employers with 25 hours of Government funded wages.
Welcoming the work of Youth hub, Huw said “The Kickstart Scheme is an ideal opportunity for local businesses and organisations of all sizes to take on promising young people under a government-funded training scheme. The Kickstart scheme has developed since it started up last year and has become more accessible. Now is a good time for employers to consider whether they could benefit from offering a supported placement and take on a talented young person who is looking for the chance to start their career with them.”
Following the visit, Sally-Ann said “This is such a worthwhile Scheme both for employers and young people, hundreds of young people are starting a Kickstart job everyday across the country. With restrictions lifting and the success of the vaccine programme will enable more businesses to be part of our local effort to build back better and offer life changing opportunities to our local young people to help them - and our businesses - succeed.”
The response from local employers to take part in this scheme has been positive, but this is now being turbo-charged with the Youth Hub now asking more employers and businesses to come forward, join the scheme, and provide more opportunities for young people in the local area. It’s simple for businesses to take part in this scheme and get the necessary support, just by applying through approved gateways such as FSB and Chamber of Commerce.
Further information:
The Kickstart Scheme for young people video explains to customers how the scheme works, its benefits and to access it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcPXx4LjaCQ&list=PLeysxjNpEPy_3hM_Z6tW_OmyfIVLTQB7l&index=16
The Help for Employers video explains the schemes and guides employers through the online application process. It could be sent to all employers not signed up yet or to support through the application process.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sKvsT4CBMw&list=PLeysxjNpEPy_3hM_Z6tW_OmyfIVLTQB7l&index=15
