More than a 100,000 young people are in jobs since the government’s Kickstart Scheme started last September, missing its original target by 150,000.
The initiative pays companies to create high quality apprenticeships for under 25s who are on Universal Credit.
It cost the government around two billion pounds but has been slated by Labour’s Shadow Work and Pension’s Secretary, Jonathan Reynolds.
He said: “These latest figures show the Government’s Kickstart scheme is failing to deliver for young people, creating opportunities for just 3% of the 600,000 young people unemployed.”
Mr Reynolds called on the Government to be more ambitious “if we are to prevent a generation scarred by long term unemployment.”
Invaluable for young people who have been helped
However, those who have got jobs across the country as part of Kickstart have said it had helped develop new skills, build confidence and even get full-time work.
Sunnie Fraser got full-time role at a creative marketing agency after her placement. “The Kickstart Scheme has been an incredibly monumental experience for me, completing my degree during a pandemic felt hopeless considering the lack of career opportunities in the creative industry, so this was a life changing scheme to be involved in.”
The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, who was forced to extend the scheme last month after a slow uptake said: “I’ve seen first-hand how it has transformed people’s lives, so I am proud that 100,000 young people have started Kickstart jobs, with the scheme continuing to help young people into next year as we emerge from the pandemic.”
Deadline in one month
The scheme’s training provider, the Prince’s Trust, said: “Being out of work can be an incredibly difficult experience for young people, knocking their confidence and impacting on their employment long into the future. At the Prince’s Trust, we are proud to help employers across the UK like McLaren Automotive make the most of the Kickstart Scheme by providing the necessary wraparound support to help thousands of young people excel in their new roles.”
Employers have until 17th December to apply to offer jobs through the scheme, with young people able to start roles up until 31 March 2022.
Feyaza Khan has been a journalist for more than 20 years in print and broadcast. Her special interests include neurodiversity in the workplace, tech, diversity, trauma and wellbeing.