Ongo supporting Kickstart Scheme

At least 75 new jobs will be created through Ongo supporting the new government Kickstart Scheme.

The scheme provides funding to employers to create six month long placements for people between 16 and 24 years old and currently receiving Universal Credit. The government will fund each placement, paying them national minimum wage for 25 hours a week. The Kickstart scheme is running for 18 months and Ongo aims to support 90 placements between November 2020 and October 2021, and currently have 75 confirmed so far.

Ongo will be taking on 10 placements within their roofing, neighbourhood and communities’ teams with the others being managed by Ongo Recruitment but the placements will be at other local businesses in the area.

Jan Williams, Head of Opportunities at Ongo, said: “We’re so pleased to be involved with this scheme which will support so many young people into work. We understand how difficult it can be to find employment, especially now in times of uncertainty, and that can be made even more difficult if you’ve had a gap in your employment history or maybe haven’t ever worked.

“We’ve got jobs within Ongo and we’re also working with local businesses to offer roles in their organisations too. This means there will be a whole range of job types available, with something to suit everyone.”

Aiming to support those at risk of long term employment, these placements will be for 25 hours per week, and as well as providing employment, Ongo will also offer additional training and support to each new employee.

Maryanne Fitzgerald our Next Level Manager is coordinating the scheme for Ongo: “For us, it was a no brainer to get involved in the Kickstart Scheme. Our core purpose as a business is to support people into employment so it felt like the perfect fit for us.

“Like all our other employment opportunities we provide, it doesn’t stop when we place someone in a role. We will support the individuals throughout the six months and offer them any additional training and guidance they might need to progress and reach their personal aspirations in their career.

“At the end of the six months, if there isn’t further work available in the business they’re in, our Employment Support team will also work with each person to help them with their next steps. Whether this is signing them up to additional training, working with them to apply for other roles and continue in sustainable employment.”

To find out more about the scheme visit www.gov.uk/kickstart.