The British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA) is set to apply to the Government’s Kickstart Scheme as an ‘organisation representative’ on behalf of its smaller employer members, enabling them to access the scheme. 

Kickstart offers support to employers creating jobs for young people, but it is only open to individual applicants who can take on a minimum of 30 new employees.  The deadline for BHETA members to submit their details to BHETA for combined applications is 30 October.

The Kickstart Scheme is designed to help employers create new six-month job placements for young people who are currently on Universal Credit and at risk of long-term unemployment. The job placements should support the participants to develop the skills and experience they need to find work after completing the scheme.

Funding is available for 100% of the relevant National Minimum Wage for 25 hours a week, plus associated employer National Insurance contributions and employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions. There is also £1,500 per job placement available for setup costs, support and training.

BHETA’s Chief Operating Officer, Will Jones commented, “I am impressed with the Kickstart scheme and I would encourage all employers to consider it. Many smaller organisations did not realise they were eligible due to the minimum threshold, but BHETA has removed that hurdle by acting as the organising representative bringing together lots of individual applications.  We believe this Government initiative will benefit the industry and society as a whole and as such we are opening it up to any non-member company as well.”

Companies interested to apply should contact Member Services Manager, Nicola Adams on nab@bheta.co.uk or 07946 078566.