News

‘Kick-Start’ Scheme Gets Young People Back Into Work

Written by HFM News on 22nd June 2021

A scheme launched in Harborough to create job opportunities for unemployed young people is being hailed a big success.

Thirteen aged 16 to 24-year-olds are benefiting from the ‘Kickstart’ scheme, with placements at places including the Battery Service Hub in Market Harborough and Kibworth Golf Club.

The District Council invited businesses to join the initiative last year – the placements are funded by the government to enable firms to take on staff and help those on Universal Credit.

Council Leader Cllr Phil King and Harborough MP Neil O’Brien have met Brooke Smith, office assistant, and Calvin Campbell, warehouse operative, who have been taken on by Battery Service Hub.

Pictured (l-r): Brooke Smith, Calvin Campbell, Neil O’Brien MP, warehouse manager Matt Coyne, business manager Penny Wallace, and Cllr Phil King at the Battery Service Hub.

They also visited Jake Buytenhuys who has been taken on as a retail assistant by golf shop MB Performance, based at Kibworth Golf Club.

Jake said: “Golf is my passion, it runs in my family, so this is such a nice environment to work in. I am working on the website so this allows me to build on my IT degree; it’s really helping set me up for the future.”

Cllr Phil King, Leader of Harborough District Council said: “It was a pleasure to visit the young people who are taking part in this initiative. They are gaining real life experience which is essential to their future progression at this challenging time for the economy. I am pleased the Council has been able to support this scheme to ensure local people have these opportunities.”

Neil O’Brien MP said: “It was great speaking with Brooke, Calvin and Jake and hearing their excellent experiences of the Government’s Kickstart scheme, which is creating high quality placements for young people that will help them gain valuable experience as we start to recover from the pandemic. It’s excellent to see local businesses taking part with support from Harborough District Council.”