Social enterprise The Women’s Organisation has helped more than 30 young people secure employment opportunities across the Liverpool City Region as an accredited Kickstart Gateway.
The Government scheme provides funding to create jobs for 16- to 24-year-olds on Universal Credit who are at risk of long-term unemployment.
As an approved Kickstart Gateway, The Women’s Organisation – which offers support to the self-employed and entrepreneurs throughout the Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester – has engaged with over 80 employers looking to access the scheme and provide a placement.
Employers of all sizes can apply for funding, which covers 100% of the National Minimum Wage – or the National Living Wage, depending on the age of the participant – for 25 hours per week for a total of six months.
Further funding is available for workplace and personal development training to support young people on the scheme to secure employment opportunities following the 6-month placement.
Helen Burkinshaw, Kickstart Gateway Coordinator for The Women’s Organisation, said: “We are delighted to be an approved Kickstart Gateway, supporting employers across the North West to access the Kickstart Scheme and create meaningful employment opportunities for young people.
“The scheme is a brilliant initiative enabling young people to gain on-the-job training and experience to kickstart their career.”
She added: “With 37 successful young people in new jobs so far, many of those being offered permanent contracts following their placements already, we are excited to see what the future holds for the young people of our region.”
One of the businesses working accessing support through the gateway is creative venue MerseyMade.
Vicky, Founder of MerseyMade said “It has been great to be involved in the Kickstart scheme over the last few months. We were able to work with The Women’s Organisation to welcome new staff members and gain valuable support in retail, marketing & Hospitality which we otherwise would not have been able to sustain”
The Women’s Organisation was founded in 1996 and offers training, support and inspiration to budding entrepreneurs and small businesses.
So far it has supported more than 60,000 clients and helped to create in excess of 4,000 businesses, with a focus on encouraging more diversity throughout the workplace.
Beyond its operations across the Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester, it is also involved in international partnerships to create employment and educational opportunities for minorities.
If you are looking for support to take on your own Kickstart staff, you can get in touch with us on programmesupport@thewo.org.uk