Kickstart Scheme

The Entrepreneurs Trust becomes selected to become UK Government Registered Gateway for the Kickstart Scheme from Dec 2020.

During the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, the UK Government implemented several initiatives to support different sectors of the economy and mitigate the impact of what was termed the ‘big pause’. Among these initiatives was the Kickstart Scheme, generously funded by the UK Government’s Department for Work and Pensions.

Championed by the then-Chancellor Rishi Sunak MP, who subsequently served as Prime Minister, the scheme earmarked two billion pounds to facilitate employment for 16-24-year-olds. Participants were engaged to work 25 hours per week for a six-month period, providing them with both income and valuable work experience.

The implementation of the Kickstart Scheme was entrusted to a select number of esteemed organisations across the British Isles. These organisations were tasked with managing the funding, evaluating employers, overseeing grant applications, administering employee support, and conducting training programs for Kickstart participants to enhance their future employability.

The Entrepreneurs Trust was honoured to be chosen by the Department for Work and Pensions as one of these organisations, a recognition that speaks volumes about the integrity and excellence of our services. Other organisations selected included long established Colleges, Universities, Councils, Training Organisations, Industry Bodies and Chambers of Commerce. Our involvement enabled us to assist more than 110 small businesses across England, Scotland, and Wales to recruit over 300 Kickstart employees. Furthermore, we provided these young professionals with extensive, weekly work-related training courses designed to refine their skills and knowledge.

The training courses were tailored versions of some of the corporate and SME focussed training courses that included:

These regular courses were highly interactive and participatory and helped to create a sense of hope about the future, all delivered remotely via Zoom.

Although the Kickstart Scheme has concluded, its legacy endures. The advantages it delivered to both employers and employees were pivotal, offering a foundation for progression through the pandemic’s challenges and a platform for prosperity in its aftermath.

The Entrepreneurs Trust is proud to have been part of the Gateway consortium, contributing to the creation of some of the 190,000 jobs during that critical period till the scheme ended in September 2022. We remain committed to fostering an environment where entrepreneurs and their businesses can flourish.