Due to the past year being challenging for businesses, they haven’t been able to recruit any new employees, and entry level jobs have been almost completely absent. It has been near impossible for young people, particularly recent graduates, to find work that is faintly career focused. It can often feel like students and graduates are often forgotten, particularly in this past year, so the introduction of the Kickstart Scheme is such a positive opportunity for young adults to begin their career.   

The Kickstart Scheme provides funding to create new jobs for 16- to 24-year-olds on Universal Credit who are at risk of long-term unemployment. Any business can apply for funding which covers, 100% of the National Minimum Wage (or the National Living Wage depending on the age of the participant) for 25 hours per week for a total of 6 months, associated employer National Insurance contributions, and any relevant workplace pension contributions (automatic enrolment). The job start dates can begin up until 31 December 2021, so you’ll get funding until 30 June 2022 if a young person starts their job on 31 December 2021. Further funding is available for training and support so that young people on the scheme can continue to build on their workplace skills, and set them up for their future employment. The scheme offers a win-win situation for both the recruit and businesses – the recruit is being given the opportunity to put their skills to good use in relevant work, while the business is being able to utilise these skills in a position where most of the costs are supported. 

At Dexterous, we currently have two Kickstart Scheme positions on offer: Sales & Support Advisor, and Graphic & Print Designer. The former will work alongside the customer facing team and keep a standard awareness of all the offerings of the business, by using tried and tested sales and marketing plans to help deliver business objectives. They will understand the client base, and all services, and work with the Senior Managers to establish and implement, and monitor, a robust plan for growth in the business. Day to day activities will include the telephone, emailing, email selling using newsletters, generating leads through social media, designing sales and marketing campaigns, managing existing clients and account management of key businesses we deal with. The latter position of Graphic & Print Designer, will work alongside the Print & Graphic Design Creative Lead, to help with level one graphic design work. Typically, this could be digital adverts, printed items such as business cards and other stationery, through to larger format printing from posters to vehicle liveries and much more. Logo design and brand creation will also form part of the role, which will help develop existing design talent and skills within our growing Web and Graphic Design Agency.   

If either of these jobs are of interest, ask your work coach for the full details and requirements, and information on how to apply!