UKIE Supporting UK Gov’s Kickstart Scheme – Applications Open

UKIE is in the process of joining UK Government Kickstart programme to help young people aged 16-24 get access to work during these challenging times – and they’re offering games companies the chance to advertise roles for them.

What is Kickstart?

Kickstart is a Government scheme aimed to help support young people aged 16-24 who are not currently in work, education, or training and are claiming Universal Credit.

Companies participating in the scheme can advertise six-month long work placements for any type of role through the Kickstart programme.

If you hire someone through the scheme, the government will pay their wages at minimum wage for six months (your business can top that up further).

In return, the government expects that anyone hired through the scheme, during that six month period, is provided with training and development opportunities.

How Does The UK Government Kickstart Work?

UKIE wants to act as a gateway organisation on the scheme, by pooling together a minimum of 30 positions to apply for access to the programme. 

UKIE will take details of the number and type of roles available from interested partners and apply to join the scheme on behalf of the companies involved.

If the application to be a Gateway organisation is successful, the roles will be advertised through local job centres and individuals can then apply for them.

Participants will of course be able to interview and accept or reject candidates.

Who Can Apply?

You need to be a Limited company and pay your staff via PAYE in order to qualify.

Support & Diversity

There will also be additional support for anyone you hire. Into Games, one of the partners of UKIE’s EDU scheme, will provide participants with careers advice, equipment (where required), support with travel (if needed) and a support community – outside of your business – to help manage the process.

Taking part in Kickstart provides a unique opportunity to diversify the games industry workforce and provide spaces to those from underrepresented groups. UKIE is particularly keen for this to be taken up by organisations which have signed up to the #raisethegame pledge.  

How Do You Take Part? 

UKIE will be accepting applications from studios until November 25 2020.

While there is no cap on the number of roles you can apply for, UKIE will cap its application at 60 x roles to ensure they can successfully manage the scheme – so initial applicants will be taken on a first come, first served basis.

If your organisation is interested in taking part, register your interest here. 

UKIE has provided an FAQ (see below) with more information on the Kickstart scheme, If you have any other questions, please contact declan@intogames.org for more information.

Photo by KOBU Agency on Unsplash