Over 230 new job placements have been created in the construction industry for young people following a successful bid by the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) to the UK Government’s Kickstart scheme.
CECA members throughout the UK have signed up to the Kickstart Scheme through the new gateway, committing to provide six-month job placements for 16–24-year-olds currently receiving Universal Credit.
The vast majority of CECA members have taken on more than one candidate, with some providing 20+ positions, helping to push the combined total of placements to over 230.
Dawn Karakatsanis and Laura Meredith, who successfully co-ordinated CECA’s bid to become a gateway organisation, have supported their members through the Scheme and also employed their own Kickstart placement to work from their offices based in Codsall, Wolverhampton.
Shaan Hira, who was hired by CECA as a Marketing/Administrative Assistant via the Kickstart Scheme, commented: “Before joining CECA Midlands on the Kickstart Programme, I had no practical experience in marketing and administration, although I had gained knowledge by studying marketing for my business qualifications to both a GCSE and A-Level standard.
“I had also thoroughly researched and analysed digital marketing campaigns when undergoing my level 3 IT qualification, but trying to find a job to put all my training into practice was proving difficult.
“The Kickstart Scheme gave me a great opportunity to start a career as not only do you gain experience and learn new skills, but you are also assigned a mentor who can help guide you. This is what separated it from a normal job, I knew there would be help, support, and guidance, along with training to help me further my career.”
These roles are fully funded by the UK Government, paying 100% of the age-relevant National Minimum Wage, National Insurance and Pension contributions for 25 hours per week. On top of this employers have been given a grant of £1,500 to set up and support with the young person with training.
CECA has also invited other CECA members who were not part of the original bid to get in touch if they are interested in participating in the next bid.
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