Kickstart Scheme placements at Get Cycling CIC
This post was originally published in June 2021. It shared our involvement in the UK Government Kickstart Scheme. The scheme supported young people into work through funded placements.
We are keeping this page as an archive. It explains the roles we offered at the time and how the scheme worked.
About the Kickstart Scheme
The Kickstart Scheme was a government-funded programme. It supported young people aged 16 to 24 who were claiming Universal Credit.
The aim was to help people gain work experience. It also helped improve skills and confidence for future employment.
We worked with NYBEP (North Yorkshire Business and Education Partnership Ltd). They acted as our gateway organisation. As a result, they supported both the young people and us through the process.
Roles we recruited for
At the time, we created two training placements at Get Cycling CIC:
- Trainee Mechanic – 25 hours per week, over 5 days (including weekends)
- Trainee Administrator – 25 hours per week, Monday to Friday
Both placements ran for six months. In addition, each role offered 25 hours per week at National Minimum Wage.
How recruitment worked
Candidates applied through Jobcentre Plus. After that, we carried out initial interviews online or by phone.
Successful applicants then attended a second interview at our premises in York.
This approach helped make the process accessible and flexible for applicants.
Support through NYBEP
NYBEP supported participants throughout their placement. For example, they provided employability training and ongoing guidance.
They also supported employers like us. This helped ensure placements ran smoothly and gave participants the best possible experience.
Looking back
The Kickstart Scheme gave many young people a valuable first step into work. It also helped organisations like ours offer structured training opportunities.
While this programme has now ended, we continue to support learning, skills development, and inclusive employment in cycling and cycle services.