Back of the net for young people in West Kent

Published: Monday, 14th December 2020

The West Kent Partnership, through a Kickstart gateway hosted at Sevenoaks District Council,

is facilitating local businesses to offer 62 entry-level positions for young people through Kickstart West Kent. 

Kickstart placements are for a period of 6 months and are available through Jobcentres to young people claiming universal credit and at risk of long-term unemployment. They are government-funded for 100% of minimum wage, employer national insurance contributions and employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions for 25 hours a week. 

These opportunities will be available shortly and will support young people into employment and deliver skills and training to equip them for the working world. The scheme gives businesses a boost in recovery and a chance to make a difference in a young person’s life. 

The scheme remains open for applications from businesses throughout 2021.

www.kickstartwestkent.co.uk

Nicolas Heslop, Chair of West Kent Partnership, says:

“The West Kent Partnership is committed to providing world of work opportunities for our young people to help them build stronger working futures and to generate a talent pipeline for West Kent businesses. I am delighted that so many young people in this first cohort will have an opportunity to undertake meaningful work and training through the support of our local businesses. The high level of interest from businesses is testament to the value they place on providing opportunities to the workforce of the future and I am grateful to every business who applied to the Scheme.”

Cllr Peter Fleming, Leader of Sevenoaks District Council, adds:

“Sevenoaks District Council is proud to be the Gateway for Kickstart West Kent. This initiative has the potential to turn young lives round, providing opportunity and hope in 2021 for an age group particularly badly hit by the pandemic. We are also pleased to be directly supporting the scheme as an employer alongside the other local authorities in West Kent to provide jobs for young people many of whom find themselves out of work due to Covid-19.”

Matthew Sankey, Sankey’s Seafood Kitchen & Bar, says:

“I am delighted to be able to take part in the Kickstart initiative. Getting young people into our industry is vital for its survival and with the creative Kickstart scheme, we are able to take on young people that we probably would have looked past whilst searching for more experienced individuals.”