Chamber Secures Hundreds of Work Placements for Unemployed Youngsters

3 years ago

Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce has arranged places for almost 500 young people under the Kickstart Scheme.

The Chamber is an approved gateway for the scheme, which provides funding to create new job placements for young people who are at risk of long-term unemployment.

Diane Elebert-Morgan, Kickstart Scheme Manager at Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, said: “We have almost 500 government-funded approved places which will all ‘go live’ as six-month job placements within the next few months.

“We have 10 young people who have already started their work placements across Greater Manchester and the Chamber will also be taking on our own Kickstart placement in the next couple of weeks.

“Job Centre Plus work coaches are working with all the young people on universal credit across the region to match them to our employers’ vacancies. We are expecting a minimum of 35 jobs going live every month.

“We’re looking forward to working with all of the young people and businesses taking part in the scheme.”

Through the Kickstart Scheme, employers 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

• employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions

Employers can spread the start date of the job placements up until the end of December 2021.

Further funding is available for training and support so that young people on the scheme can get a job in the future.

For more information on the Kickstart Scheme, contact diane.elebertmorgan@gmchamber.co.uk.

Notes to Editors

Press contact:
Simon Cronin, Communications Manager: 07966 904 149 simon.cronin@gmchamber.co.uk

About Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce:
• Greater Manchester Chamber is the largest Chamber of Commerce in the UK.
• We provide first-class business support through a range of tailored services and networking opportunities and use our influence with local and central government to lobby on behalf of our members as the voice of the Greater Manchester business community.
• The Chamber is an independent, not-for-profit private company, working to create a better business environment for its members.
• The Chamber covers Manchester, Salford, Wigan, Bolton, Bury, Rochdale, Oldham, Trafford, Tameside and Stockport
• We are an accredited member of the British Chambers of Commerce – one of only 53 chambers across the UK.
• Greater Manchester Chamber was founded in 2004, but traces its roots back to 1794.

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About Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce

Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce is the largest Chamber of Commerce in the UK, providing business support to approximately 4,500 members who collectively employ 446,000 people, around one-third of Greater Manchester’s workforce. Recognised as a leader in its field, Greater Manchester Chamber’s reputation in government circles has grown locally and nationally. At the heart of the area of greatest economic intensity outside London and the South East, the Chamber is the primary body for business support, policy, representation and networking. The Chamber is an independent, not-for-profit private company and its aim is to support businesses and help create the best climate for the region to prosper. This is achieved by ensuring that those taking decisions on key issues such as transport, taxation and business regulation hear the voice of our members. The representation of our members’ views is central to the work of the policy team at the Chamber; these views are gathered in a range of ways including our local councils, policy committees, sector councils, the main Chamber council, focus groups, meetings with politicians and consultations. The Chamber also offers a range of networking forums across Greater Manchester, free as part of membership, plus a variety of other events and services designed to benefit specific sectors or individuals and help businesses to grow.

Press Contacts

GMCC Comms Team

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