Trade body, the National Access & Scaffolding Confederation, has co-ordinated the effort that will see 50 contractors offer six-month work placements to 18–24-year-olds, under the scheme which launches today.

The vast majority of firms will take on more than one candidate, with a handful providing over 20 positions.

Henry Annafi, NASC Training Officer, who successfully co-ordinated the NASC’s gateway organisation bid, said: “I am absolutely delighted but not surprised by the fantastic interest and take-up of the Scheme by NASC members. 

“Through my conversations with these members it’s become clear that they’re all intending to go well beyond the parameters of the Scheme and will look to place all successful participants on apprenticeships or full employment once the six-month placement ends. 

“There’s a long-term commitment being made and that’s because the members aren’t just keen to provide young people with short-term jobs, they want to give them a career.”  

The Kickstart Scheme provides funding to employers to create new job placements for young people on Universal Credit who are at risk of long-term unemployment.

Kickstart Scheme applications originally had to be for a minimum of 30 job placements. If a single employer was unable provide this many placements, they could apply for a smaller number through a Kickstart gateway.