South Somerset District Council provide young people facing unemployment new opportunities
Released On 11th Dec 2021
South Somerset District Council has provided 21 employment opportunities to young people facing unemployment with the Government’s Kickstart Scheme.
The 21 young people are on full-time six-month contracts through the scheme and it is proving a great success. Their roles are varied, with young people working across a variety of our services from Countryside Rangers at Yeovil Country Park, Ham Hill Country Park and Yeovil Recreation Centre to Digital Services and Housing.
One of our new young people on the Kickstart scheme is Scott Harris, who is now a Sports Assistant at Yeovil Recreation Centre and also a keen photographer. To encourage him in his passion, we asked him to visit his fellow Kickstarter’s at SSDC and take photos of them in their new roles. He took all of the photos included with this story. Great work Scott!
The Kickstart Scheme helps young people aged 16-24, who are currently in receipt of Universal Credit, get jobs and gain experience to help them advance and kick start their career. The Kickstart Scheme supports the HM Governments Plan for Jobs campaign.
It is a fantastic opportunity for young locals at threat of unemployment to get local jobs while gaining insight and practical experience, which will help them advance in the working world.
The Kickstart Scheme will also provide a stepping stone to permanent jobs and potential future employment by SSDC and other organisations.
Positions for the Kickstart Scheme are advertised at local Jobcentre Plus offices. We encourage anyone interested in the scheme to discuss Kickstart opportunities with your Jobcentre Plus work coaches.
From attending recruitment days to having weekly meetings, SSDC have worked closely with local partners, including the Yeovil Jobcentre Plus office, to ensure a high level of interest in our opportunities.
By providing scheme placements, we are not only assisting residents with their long-term job prospects, but also supporting residents at risk of long-term unemployment by enabling them to become empowered and self-reliant.
If you would like to find out more about the Government’s Kickstart Scheme, visit www.gov.uk/government/collections/kickstart-scheme.
If you are interested in joining the Kickstart scheme, visit your local Job Centre Plus office, find your local office at www.gov.uk/contact-jobcentre-plus or contact us for further information at kickstart@southsomerset.gov.uk.
You can also find out more information via our short video on YouTube which explains more about the Kickstart Scheme and placements with South Somerset District Council
