THERE have been over 140 sign ups from local employers for a new government work placement programme.

Over 700 young people are expected to benefit from the Kickstart scheme by gaining valuable work experience across a range of industries including finance, education and legal, beauty therapy, sports, craft and the arts.

Young people have been disproportionally affected by the economic impacts of Covid-19 so Bradford Council is keen to do everything it can to help them back into work.

The new programme will enhance the council’s existing workforce development strategy which highlights the need for young people and unemployed residents to develop the skills sought by local employers.

For employers, Kickstart presents an opportunity to boost workforces by funding six month work placements for young people for up to 25 hours a week with an additional £1,500 grant payment for training and support for each new recruit.

Employers who can offer 30 or more places can apply direct to the programme and businesses who will offer fewer than 30 places can join a local consortium or ‘Gateway’.

Bradford Council is a registered Gateway organisation and is preparing its first submission to the fund for the end of October.

Cllr Imran Khan, Portfolio Holder for Education, Employment and Skills at Bradford Council, said: “Kickstart provides businesses with a great opportunity to increase their capacity whilst giving unemployed young people valuable chance to participate in paid work.

“By acting as a Kickstart Gateway, we can maximise the number of local employers benefitting from the scheme and it is fantastic that so many businesses have already shown an interest in the programme."

The current round of grant applications has now closed but those businesses interested in future applications can email the council on kickstart@bradford.gov.uk.