Over 30 work placements created to help young people struggling to find a job amid the Covid pandemic in Harborough are now ready to be filled

Over 30 work placements created to help young people struggling to find a job amid the Covid pandemic in Harborough are now ready to be filled.

Harborough District Council invited businesses in November to apply for the national Kickstart scheme.

The blueprint provides funding to employers to create job placements for 16 to 24-year-olds on Universal Credit.

“Now, thanks to a fantastic response from businesses, young people can apply for a diverse range of job roles, including retail, IT, health, crafts, sports, marketing and more, through their local Job Centre Plus,” said the council.

“Successful applicants will begin six-month paid work placements to help them gain valuable skills, experience and knowledge to improve their employability.

“Placements are funded by the Government scheme, giving businesses the chance to take on staff and grow through this difficult time.”

Harborough council and Harborough Innovation Centre are playing a key role in helping local young people and employers benefit from this unique opportunity.

Cllr Phil King, who leads Harborough council, said: “Young people nationally have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, as it impacts on the UK economy.

“So I am delighted that we have reached the stage where they can apply for these placements.

“It is great that local businesses have embraced this initiative which will help them grow at this challenging time.”

The council will also support those in the work placements with a view to possibly developing apprenticeship opportunities after the six months.

Doug Andrews, managing director of Market Harborough-based business IT company Globe 2, said: “This is a real opportunity for us to expand and, at the same time, offer a good placement for a young person who can learn - with the possibility of a job at the end of it.”

Anyone on Universal Credit, and aged between 16-24, can ask a Job Centre Plus work coach about the Kickstart placements.

Employers keen to get create work placements, which must be in place by this December, should email business@harborough.gov.uk

Those not eligible for Kickstart placements, but who are looking for job opportunities, can join the council for the first-ever Harborough Jobs Week running from Monday March 22 – Sunday March 28.

Across the week the council will be featuring live job vacancies, employment support resources and webinars to help you improve your job seeking skills.