Kickstart to apprenticeship

Shropshire Council has created 60 placements for eligible young people over the past 12 months (since February 2021) as part of the Government’s nationwide Kickstart Scheme.

The £2 billion scheme, due to come to an end on 31 March 2022, sought to create high quality six-month work placements for people aged 16-24, who are claiming Universal Credit and at risk of long-term unemployment, with their wages funded by the Government for 25 hours per week.

Kickstart Scheme

Since the implementation of the scheme the council has supported 35 young people into placements within the council, offering a variety of roles including digital skills trainers, administrative officers, handyperson assistants and data assistants.

The placements have enabled young people to gain new skills, build confidence and flourish in the workplace. A total of nine ‘Kickstarters’ have managed to gain further employment with the council, with five moving into apprenticeship roles.

Read their stories to see how Kickstart has really impacted their opportunities and opened new doors to further development here (please click “Kickstart Scheme at Shropshire Council” bulletpoint heading on the page, for case studies).

Gwilym Butler, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for resources, said:-

“We know that young people and employers in Shropshire have been some of the hardest hit during the pandemic and we are proud to support 35 young people as part of the Kickstart scheme.

“Our young people are the future of the workplace and it’s great to be able to nurture local talent and give them the opportunities they deserve.

“We wish them the very best in their future careers.”