RYDE Town Council has announced the successful employment of two young people, thanks to the Department of Work and Pensions’ (DWP) new Kickstart Scheme.

This has enabled the young pair to move away from Universal Credit and work in placements at Ryde Town Council for a six-month period.

Back in September 2020, Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced the Kickstart Scheme, which provides employers with funding to offer six-month placements to 16–24-year-olds, working 25 hours per week.

The placements are eligible to young people in receipt of Universal Credit, who are at risk of long-term unemployment.

Ryde Town Council has signed up for five placements, and will help other Ryde employers to enrol on the scheme, offering 43 placements between them, with further placements under review with the DWP.

Kaiya Woodford, currently on placement at Ryde Town Council’s youth service, Network Ryde, said: “Due to the pandemic, I was unable to secure meaningful work around the care of my child.

"Without the Kickstart Scheme, this role wouldn’t have been available to me, and will add valuable experience to my CV, which I hope puts me in a better position to find further work once the placement has ended.”

Shay Dixon, currently on a facilities placement at Ryde Town Council, added: “The Kickstart Scheme has given me an opportunity to work and learn new skills at the same time.

"I hope working for Ryde Town Council will give me valuable work experience, and boost my confidence, when looking for other jobs in the future.”

The Kickstart Scheme is currently open to employers registered with Companies House or the Charity Commission.

To apply for funding visit www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-a-kickstart-scheme-grant