UPDATED NOV 10

• Download the presentation here
• Watch the webinar here

Equity Release Council members and the wider sector are being encouraged to take part in the Government’s £2bn Kickstart work-placement scheme, after a gateway training provider offered to submit a collective bid.

The Kickstart scheme supports people aged 16 to 24 into work by covering their wages for six months and paying an employers’ grant, to help provide them life skills and market training.

Employers wishing to create fewer than 30 placements must use a Kickstart gateway and the Council has been working with Professional Training Solutions to understand more about the scheme.

A webinar takes place at 11am on Monday November 9, when members can hear more about the scheme and how to take part, direct from Professional Training Solutions, which is an approved employer gateway.

All of the other approved gateway organisations are listed on the Kickstart website. Employers wishing to create more than 30 placements can also apply for the scheme direct.

Council chief operating officer, Donna Bathgate, said: “This is a great opportunity for the sector to pull together, to develop new talent and support an important social initiative.

“It’s hard for young people to get on the career ladder and we must do everything we can to develop the next generation of financial services professionals.

“Much like the consumers we serve, our workforce is ageing too and we need new entrants across all disciplines, from sales and marketing to frontline advisers, in particular.”

“We understand some SMEs could find the scheme administratively burdensome, but by introducing Professional Training solutions, we hope to remove that barrier.”

The initiative is aimed at young people on Universal Credit who have seen their opportunities diminish and are at risk of long-term unemployment, due in part, to the pandemic.

It will pay 100% of the relevant National Minimum Wage for 25 hours a week as well as the associated National Insurance and auto-enrolment pension contributions.

Professional Training Solutions managing director, Jackie Denyer, said:

“As a national training provider we can support both the employer and the Kickstarter to ensure the placement on offer delivers the best outcomes for both parties and meets all of the eligibility criteria for the scheme.

“There are many incredibly talented young people out there, from school leavers to graduates and everything in between. They just need a chance to get their careers started.”

• For application guidance click here
• To register an expression of interest with Professional Training Solutions click here