FEA launches Kickstart Gateway

The Foodservice Equipment Association (FEA) has launched a gateway to help its members take advantage of the government's Kickstart Scheme.

The scheme, which provides funding for employers to create job placements for 16- to 24-year-olds, requires participants to create a minimum of 30 placements. FEA's Kickstart Gateway will allow members to apply, even if it's only for one job.

FEA has partnered with the British Home Enhancement Trade Association to create the gateway, with the two associations having worked together in the past and having several mutual members.

The Kickstart Scheme covers 100% of the National Minimum Wage (or National Living Wage, depending on the age of the applicant) for 25 hours per week, for six months. It also covers the costs of employer national insurance contributions and employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions. In addition, there is £1,500 of funding available for each job placement to set up support and training, as well as helping pay for uniforms and other setup costs.

"The scheme is a massive opportunity to encourage young people into the foodservice equipment industry," said, John Whitehouse, chair of FEA. "The FEA secretariat has already received applications from several members, so if any companies are thinking of applying, I'd encourage them to do so speedily."

"These are tough times for employers, and tough times for young adults looking to enter the job market. The Kickstart scheme has the potential to make a major contribution to the foodservice equipment industry, both financially and by attracting the young starters we need."

For information on the FEA Kickstart Gateway, contact Jocelyn Carr, jocelyn.carr@fea.org.uk.

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