The PRCA has announced plans to act as a representative body for the UK PR industry for the Government’s new Kickstart Scheme.
The programme encourages organisations to create six-month job placements for young people aged between 16-24 who are on Universal Credit. The Government will fund 100% of the relevant National Minimum Wage, National Insurance and pension contributions for 25 hours a week and organisations will receive £1,500 per job placement.
The initiative is designed to protect young people deemed at risk of long-term unemployment due to the economic impact of COVID-19.
There are two routes into the scheme as an employer. If you have 30 plus places to offer, you can apply direct. If you have fewer, you can join together with others to pool placements, with the bid led by a representative body. The PRCA’s involvement as a representative body for the PR industry allows organisations of all sizes to take advantage of the initiative.
Commenting on the announcement, PRCA Director General Francis Ingham MPRCA, said:
“This new programme has the potential to radically improve the lives of many young people who currently face the bleak prospect of unemployment right at the beginning of their careers. We are proud to represent the UK PR industry, and to offer organisations of all sizes the opportunity to offer jobs to talented individuals. I would strongly encourage employers to grasp this opportunity, and to join us in promoting it.”
Mims Davies MP, Employment Minister, DWP, said:
“Businesses coming together and supporting each other to offer Kickstart opportunities is exactly the integrated approach that will ensure young people get the most out of this scheme, so I encourage more PR agencies to join PRCA and put themselves forward.
“We want businesses across every sector to get involved with the Kickstart Scheme helping to not only support employers and boost our economy, but provide a diverse range of opportunities to the young people soon to be applying – especially in the exciting world of communications.”
Alastair McCapra, CEO, CIPR, said:
“The CIPR are delighted to support the PRCA’s lead on the Kickstart scheme. We urge any CIPR members and employers with opportunities to offer young people to take advantage of the scheme. It’s a great chance for the profession to play its part in providing a basis for young people to enter the job market and help them better understand the world we operate in.”
Information on the Kickstart Scheme and how to apply using the PRCA as a representative body can be found here.
Gov Kickstart Scheme: PRCA to act as representative body for UK PR industry
