Groundswell of support as Renfrewshire employers give young people a career kickstart

Renfrewshire businesses and charities have shown fantastic support to boost the career prospects of local young people by offering more than 200 Kickstart job placements so far.

Renfrewshire Council’s employability experts Invest in Renfrewshire have teamed up with Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce and Engage Renfrewshire to bid on behalf of local employers for the six-month posts funded through the UK Government’s Kickstart scheme.

Pooling their experience, the trio are also assisting with skills and training support throughout the placement period.

An online survey was launched last month asking local employers to register their interest in providing a placement, which help people aged 16-24 on Universal Credit and at risk of long-term unemployment.

This has seen a fantastic response from companies right across the region, with detailed discussion now underway to confirm these roles and add to a further 100 placements within the Council, before submitting the Renfrewshire funding bid.

There’s still time for local companies to put forward their placements – with full details at www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/kickstart or by calling the Council’s Invest in Renfrewshire team on 0300 300 1180 or email invest@renfrewshire.gov.uk.

Renfrewshire Council Leader Iain Nicolson said: “We know the devastating impact Coronavirus has had on our health, on society and on the economy, with young people more likely to be adversely affected when it comes to finding and keeping a job.

“We have a strong track record with Renfrewshire ranked among the best local authority areas in Scotland in supporting young people into work and it’s fantastic to see the groundswell of support in the Kickstart job placements so far.

“There is still time for companies to come forward and I would urge all local employers to visit the Kickstart in Renfrewshire website and fill in our online survey to register their interest as not only will they be helping someone onto the career ladder and a brighter future, they will benefit from a committed and hardworking employee to help their organisation restart, recover and grow.”

Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Bob Grant said: “At a time when cashflow is tight, this fully funded scheme will help employers bring young people into the workplace and develop new talent for the future. Kickstart can help create long-term, quality employment opportunities and ensure that both businesses and employees are fully supported throughout the placement.”

Alan McNiven, Engage Renfrewshire Chief Executive said: “Right now, we know that many young people may be facing additional challenges in taking that first step into the world of work. Kickstart is aiming to tackle that risk of long-term unemployment for young people and with the support of local employers from across all sectors in Renfrewshire, I’m sure the initiative can make a positive impact.”

This scheme builds on a wide range of support provided to local businesses throughout the Coronavirus pandemic.

More than £28million in Scottish Government grants has been awarded to Renfrewshire businesses, providing funding to address the immediate impact of Coronavirus, while the Council surveyed 500 local companies before launching a £1.3million programme of loans and grants to assist with business resilience and growth.

The Council’s Business Gateway team are also on hand to offer advice and guidance to local employers.

For full details of all available business support, visit: http://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/coronavirus-businesses