Diversify Offers the Kickstart Scheme

5th October 2020

Would your business benefit from having £1500 additional cash? Do you need staff? If you are answering yes… Kickstart your workforce through the new ‘Kickstart Scheme’

Would your business benefit from having £1500 additional cash? 

Do you need staff? 

If you are answering yes…

Kickstart your workforce through the new ‘Kickstart Scheme’

Diversify are a non-profit who believe in offering meaningful, ethical, and moral work opportunities. Diversify is a recognised Representative in coordinating business responses. Simply email kickstart@diversifynow.co.uk and a member of our team will be in touch right away. 

What is the Kickstart scheme?  

The Kickstart Scheme is a £2 billion fund to create hundreds of thousands of high-quality 6-month work placements for young people aged 16-24, who are claiming Universal Credit. 
Businesses of all sizes looking to invest in young people can apply to create new 6-month job placements for those who are on Universal Credit and at risk of long-term unemployment. 
The job placements should support the participants to develop the skills and experience they need to find work after completing the scheme.

So how does it work? 

The Government will fund 100 of the relevant National Minimum Wage for 25 hours a week, plus associated employer National Insurance contributions and employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions. In addition, businesses taking on a Kickstart candidate will receive £1,500 per job placement available for setup costs, support and training. 

What is the cost to me?
 
Age group  National Minimum Wage  Hours  Monthly cost 
16-18 £4.15 per hour 25 £455
18-20 £6.45 per hour 25 £645
21-24 £8.20 per hour 25 £820

But remember the DWP will pay the wages back - this will be paid directly to you at month 4 and 7.  

How funding is paid 

• You will receive initial setup costs when you have confirmed the young person has started work, is enrolled on your payroll and is due to be paid through PAYE.  This is a £1500 payment. 
• The Department for Work and Pensions will use information from HMRC to check that the candidate is still employed, and will pay you the grant in arrears –You as the employer will pay the wages and it will be paid back at month 4 and 7. 
• The Department for Work and Pensions may contact you or employee during the job placement to check what employability support has been offered. This is to make sure the candidate has the best experience from the scheme.

We do not charge any admin fees, we genuinely want to help as many people as we possibly can. 

To register your interest, email us on kickstart@diversifynow.co.uk and member of our team will get back to you right away.

You might also be interested in

EHRC Code Update 2026: What the New Guidance Means in Practice

Thu 6th August 2026

The Equality Act 2010 (Code of Practice on Services, Public Functions and Associations) (Revocation) Order 2026 takes effect on 5 August 2026.

Shortlist Announced for Sheffield Business Awards 2026!

Wed 5th August 2026

The shortlist has been announced for the 25th Sheffield Business Awards, with Sheffield's biggest celebration of business returning on Thursday 15th October 2026.

New round of Skills Bank funding opens the door for South Yorkshire businesses to cut training costs

Tue 4th August 2026

South Yorkshire businesses can once again apply for part-funded training after the launch of Skills Bank 4, the latest round of the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority's flagship skills programme.

Why Most AI Research Misses the Businesses That Actually Make Up the UK Economy

Tue 4th August 2026

A short, independent research piece explaining why The Curve is running The State of AI in UK Business 2026 survey, and why mid-market UK businesses are underrepresented in existing AI adoption research.