Kent Jobs for Kent’s Young People

Our priorities Doubling the number of apprenticeships (from 6% of cohort to 12%) Improving the skills base through Kent’s vocational programme Supporting small businesses to grow (98% of Kent’s 48,000 businesses less than 100 employees) Substantially reduce the number of young unemployed and in particular reduce long term unemployment. Linking in with our Troubled Families initiative in Kent.

Barriers to Increasing Apprenticeships Disconnect between schools and employers Focus on academic routes Limited understanding of apprenticeships amongst young people & parents Lack of employers ready to take on young people, especially now

Length of unemployment increasing

Enhancing National Schemes KCC Grant –£2m from Big Society Fund to create one thousand, £2000 grants for employers that recruits an yr old who has been on benefits for 3 months or longer Youth Contract – Wage support via Work Programme –£2,275 for 6 month opportunity –With our funding becomes £4,275 for 20 months employment (inc. minimum 12 month apprenticeship) National Apprenticeship Service Grant –£1500 for 12 month apprenticeship – open to all –With our funding becomes £3500 for 15 months employment (inc. minimum 12 month apprenticeship) only for Job Centre clients

Employer Criteria Based in Kent Private companies up to 250 employees Social Enterprises /Voluntary Orgs Public Sector Offer minimum 12 month opportunity Not to have started an apprentice in past 2 years – unless recruiting from Work Programme clients

Kent Jobs for Kent Young People Delivered by: An aggressive marketing campaign to promote to employers ( both public and private sector) the opportunities that well motivated apprentices offer to their business. Reaching them through a range of routes: Through radio, billboards, press, business networks etc Training providers promoting Work Programme providers promoting JCP promoting to their employers Myth busting – reducing red tape and bureaucracy, reducing the cost from £52 pw Supporting employers through apprenticeship recruitment process Match-making the appropriate apprentice to business need, and opportunity of a work trial

16 – 18 year olds Apprentices Exempt from minimum wage – 2 years Training fully funded by government Exempt from NI Subsidised bus travel via Freedom Pass £ 5000 per year £ 96 p/w 18 – 24 year old apprentices: 3 – 9 mths unemployed Exempt from min wage for 1 st year £2000 KCC subsidy Possible employer contribution to training Exempt from NI £ 3000 for a 1 year apprentice contract £ 58 p/w year old apprentices :9 mths + unemployed Exempt from min wage for 1 st year Youth Contract £2,275 KCC £2000 subsidy Possible employer contribution to training £2,730 for a one year apprentice contract £52 p/w All Apprentices – all ages 1 st year exempt from minimum wage Apprenticeship contract has no continuation of employment rights Must aspire to reach level 2 qualification & beyond Reducing the cost and myth busting

Early Success –Launched on 19 th April at Kent Businesses pledged apprenticeships 123 Apprenticeships pledged 13 starts – 10 Care providers pledged 12 opportunities –Banking sector partnership –JCP Partnership –Secretary of State visit

Kent Jobs for Kent’s Young People