Kickstart Scheme
The Kickstart Scheme provides funding to create new job placements for 16 to 24 year olds on Universal Credit who are at risk of long term unemployment. The government scheme aims to reduce youth unemployment and to help the economy recover from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Surrey Chambers of Commerce acted as a gateway for us and supported us through the application process.
Louise Punter, Chief Executive, Surrey Chambers of Commerce, explained their role further, “Surrey Chambers of Commerce, recognising the great opportunity for both businesses and young people, applied to be a gateway to help smaller businesses only wanting one or a few Kickstart placements. We now have over 380 placements in the process with 50 young people already working with their new employers. Seeing these matches made, helping both the business and the young person, has been a joy to watch and we hope that it will reduce the potential levels of unemployment amongst the young people of Surrey.”
Ella Norris
Ella has joined as Junior Operations Team Assistant and will be helping out the operations team with office management and administrative and reception duties.
“By gaining invaluable experience in working in an office environment from such a well-established company within my local community, I have been provided with a positive and well-supported beginning to my career.”, shared Ella.
Click here to hear Ella talk about her placement at STB.
Francesca Hossack
Francesca (Frankie) is part of the marketing team and will be assisting the Marketing Manager with social media, email campaigns and website updates.
Frankie said, “If it weren’t for the Kickstart scheme, I don’t think I would have been able to get the experience of my dream job, so I am very pleased and grateful to be a part of this!”
Click here to hear Frankie talk about her first few days at STB.
As part of the Kickstart programme, Ella and Frankie will be receiving training on various aspects of the job which will also help with their long-term career goals.
As well as an initial two-week training period, on-the-job training will be provided throughout the placement. They will receive ongoing mentoring via regular catch ups and general line management support.
Towards the end of the placement, both of them will have the opportunity to take part in a mock interview, have a session to improve their LinkedIn profiles and also submit their revised CV/cover letter for a full CV workshop.
George Cooke, Managing Director, STB, said, “We’re very happy to be joined by two Kickstart scheme applicants through Surrey Chamber of Commerce. We look forward to giving them the chance to learn and contribute to our business in as many ways as possible, especially at a time when recruitment and applying for jobs is so difficult.”
