Lincoln College Group, in conjunction with Newark and Sherwood District Council, has submitted an application to create up to 51 new work placements for local young people.

The bid has been sent in to the Government’s recently-launched Kickstart Scheme, which provides funding to create new job placements for 16 to 24 year-olds on Universal Credit who are at risk of long-term unemployment. Part of the Government’s support for businesses during the coronavirus pandemic, the scheme offers to cover 100 per cent of the National Minimum Wage for the placements as well as the associated employer National Insurance and automatic enrolment contributions.

The council has taken a lead, offering seven placements within its own teams. These comprise assistant roles within Tourism and Economic Growth, Asset Management, Street Wardens, Technical Support, Gardening, Street Cleansing and Domestic Services.

As applications to the initiative must be for a minimum of 30 placements, Lincoln College Group, which incorporates Newark College, has taken on the role of a Kickstart gateway organisation, allowing small businesses throughout Newark and Sherwood as well as parts of Lincolnshire to participate.

Over 25 local employers have signed up to the scheme including GH Porter, Buttercross Estates, East Midlands Toy Company and more with a wide range of roles on offer from retail to horse grooming, social media marketing and antiques restoration.

David Lloyd, leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “I am immensely proud of the support shown by businesses in our district for this scheme. It’s a lifeline for young people whose opportunities have been stunted by the pandemic, and, by fully funding the placements, the Government is providing vital support for small businesses to carry on supporting their own teams as well as bringing on extra help.”

Submissions are expected to take two to three weeks for approval.

To find out more about the Kickstart scheme, visit www.gov.uk/government/collections/kickstart-scheme.

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