AIM and Museums Association working together to support Kickstart scheme

AIM and Museums Association are working together to support the sector in accessing the Kickstart Scheme, a new UK-wide initiative created by the UK government that offers fully-funded 6-month job placements to young people.

The fully-funded placement scheme seeks to help young people currently on Universal Credit and at risk of long-term unemployment develop the skills and experience they need to find work. Funding is available for 100% of the relevant National Minimum Wage for 25 hours a week. In addition, there’s support for initial set up costs per placement, for training and development.

The scheme stipulates that applications must be for a minimum of 30 job placements, anticipated to start from November 2020. Placements must be new jobs and not replace existing or planned vacancies or impact existing employees or contractors employment. Once one 6-month placement has finished another participant can start.

As applications must be for a minimum of 30 job placements, AIM and MA are working together to help museums interested in the scheme, but unable, on their own, to offer that number of placements to find a partner or even form a group of museums that might wish to work together.

AIM Director, Emma Chaplin said: 

“It’s a tough time for everyone at the moment, but young people in particular have been hit hard by COVID related challenges to the economy and the jobs market.

This new scheme offers young people the chance to explore opportunities in the cultural sector whilst strengthening their employability and we are delighted to be working together with our colleagues at the Museums Association to support members in getting involved.

We understand that providing 30 placements is a challenge for most organisations, so we are keen to help interested museums collaborate to offer their support to the scheme. If you are interested in finding out more, do be sure to join us on our upcoming online information session.”

Tamsin Russell, MA’s Workforce Development Officer said,

“We were approached by a number of small museums in relation to the Kickstart scheme, and anticipated there may be more interest to come. With the MA’s and AIM’s UK-wide remit working together enables museums across the UK to come together and look at next steps.”

Read more on how the scheme and funding works on the Kickstart webpages>>

Email info@aim-museums.co.uk to register your organisation’s interest in collaborating.

AIM/MA Kickstart networking session will be held on 30 September 10:30 – 12:00.