ESSEX County Council is enabling over 500 jobs to be brought to market with small and medium sized businesses in Essex, as well as aiming to employ over 100 in-house.

Essex County Council acts as a Gateway offering information and support to employers and young people throughout their placements and beyond to give them the best chance to secure employment long term.

Since March 2021, 170 young people have already started work with local businesses, public sector and voluntary sector organisations through Essex County Council’s Kickstart scheme, unlocking up to £1.3 million of funding from central government, which will boost the local economy, local businesses and benefit young people in Essex. For more information visit: Kickstart scheme – Essex County Council

The Government’s Kickstart Scheme, run by the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP), provides funding to help young people gain valuable work experience. These funds cover 25 hours of wages and other contributions for 26 weeks as well as supporting participants in the workplace. The scheme ends in December, and the last start dates for candidates is 31st December 2021.

How to apply: Young people aged 16-24 years who are unemployed and in receipt of Universal Credit should ask their DWP Work Coach about Kickstart placements available locally or visit: Kickstart Scheme – Job Help (campaign.gov.uk)

Councillor Tony Ball, Essex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education Excellence, Skills and Training said: “Kickstart Essex is a fantastic scheme offering young people the valuable opportunity to gain work experience and providing young talent for businesses from a wide range of sectors. If you’d like to learn more about the scheme get in touch.”