As reported by Build UK, the Government has introduced the new Kickstart Scheme to create six‐month work placements for 16 to 24 year olds who are on Universal Credit and deemed to be at risk of long term unemployment. Employers can apply for funding to cover 100% of the relevant National Minimum Wage for 25 hours a week, plus National Insurance and pension contributions. However, they must be new jobs and not replace existing or planned vacancies, and construction businesses may prefer to continue to invest in apprenticeships where they are available. Employers creating 30 or more job placements can apply directly, whilst those creating fewer than 30 placements must partner with other organisations to apply as a group.
Source UK Government/Build UK