Scheme To Get Young People Back Into Work Launches In Harborough

More than 30 paid six-month work placements are now available to unemployed young people across Harborough.

Businesses have teamed up with the District Council to offer them, as part of the government’s national Kickstart Scheme.

Roles in retail, IT, health, crafts, sports and marketing are up grabs for people aged 16 to 24 on Universal Credit.

Job Centre Plus will match those interested to the placements, Placements are funded by the Government scheme, giving businesses the chance to take on staff and grow through this difficult time.with the hope a full-time of Apprentice position may be offered at the end of them.

Latest figures show 360 people aged 18 – 24 are out of work across the District.

Cllr Phil King, Leader of Harborough District Council, said: “Young people nationally have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, as it impacts on the UK economy, so I am delighted that we have reached the stage where they can apply for these placements. It is great that local businesses have embraced this initiative which will help them grow at this challenging time.”

Doug Andrews, managing director of Globe 2, one of the businesses taking part said: “This is a real opportunity for us to expand and, at the same time, offer a good placement for a young person, who can learn, with the possibility of a job at the end of it.”

Anyone on Universal Credit, and aged between 16-24, can ask a Job Centre Plus work coach about the Kickstart placements. Also, employers keen to get create work placements, which must be in place by December 2021, should email business@harborough.gov.uk

Cllr Phil King, Doug Andrews, and David Wright, economic development manager for the Council