Security employers urged to access Government ‘Kickstart’ Scheme funding in assisting unemployed youngsters

In the latest figures issued by the Office for National Statistics, circa 750,000 16-to-24-year-olds are currently claiming Universal Credit. This highlights the large numbers of young people being severely financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and unable to find work.

Ordinarily, to apply for the funding available through the Government's ‘Kickstart’ Scheme, a single employer must be able to provide a minimum of 30 job placements. However, as a not-for-profit organisation, The Security Institute has stepped up to become a Gateway Provider for the security industry. This allows many more employers within the sector actively looking to create 29 or fewer job placements for young people to apply for funding through the ‘Kickstart’ Scheme.

The Government funding available will finance six-month work placements for youngsters. Employers will be paid 100% of the National Minimum Wage for 25 hours of work per week, plus National Insurance and Auto Enrolment Pension contributions. There’s also the option for employers to pay for additional hours, helping the scheme to benefit the needs of a specific organization in the best possible way.

In addition, there’s a £1,500 grant per job placement available to help employers pay for any set-up, support and training costs that may be incurred when inducting a new employee.

Introducing more talent

After this six-month placement, the employer can offer permanent employment to the young person or let them find other opportunities elsewhere with additional experience now on their CV to support future applications.

The Security Institute hopes that the ‘Kickstart’ Scheme will help to introduce more talented young people to the world of security and open the doors to a whole range of opportunities available within the sector.

In order to improve standards and help build a strong foundation for the sector's success in the future, The Security Institute recognises that the sector must attract and welcome the diverse talent evident among young people in the UK. The latter’s fresh perspective will help the sector better tackle a wide variety of different challenges faced by today’s security professionals, while at the same time ensuring the sector is best equipped to meet emerging security threats.

Many young people may not have even considered a role within security. There’s a wide spectrum of roles that fall under the security umbrella and lots of potential opportunities for young people to establish a successful career regardless of their skillset or interests. By dint employers within the security industry participating in the ‘Kickstart’ Scheme, it’s hoped that more young people will recognise how fulfilling a career in security can be.

Evolving challenges

Speaking about the ‘Kickstart’ Scheme and its importance for the security sector, The Security Institute’s CEO Rick Mounfield CSyP FSyI stated: “The challenges faced by the security sector continue to evolve and magnify. As such, it’s imperative that we seek to attract more talented young people to the world of security. The ‘Kickstart’ Scheme has presented a fantastic opportunity for us to do this with full financial support available from the Government. As a growth sector with various skills gaps, the security industry can provide an array of interesting and fulfilling roles for young people.”

*To become involved in the ‘Kickstart’ Scheme by being a registered employer with The Security Institute, send an e-mail to kickstart@security-institute.org

**Further information on ‘Kickstart’​ in Security is available online at https://www.kickstart-security.com/