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Produced in partnership with UK Government 11 Africa telegraph 25 October - 09 November 2020

“But actually, people car- high-quality, government- subsi-
ried on exercising and dised jobs.
they carried on buying our
products; our retail business Under the scheme, announced by
dropped considerably, but our online Chancellor Rishi Sunak in July as
business has grown.” part of his Plan for Jobs, British em-
ployers can offer young people aged
Today, Townsend is keen to capital- 16 to 24, who are claiming Universal
ise on that growth. Having reorgan- Credit, a six-month work placement.
ised the business to focus on online
sales, Active Root has found itself The UK Government will fully fund
wondering whether to make new each Kickstart job by paying 100
hires in its fulfilment division. per cent of the age-relevant National
Minimum Wage, National Insurance
“We’re going through a lot of growth and pension contributions for 25
at the moment, so there is going to hours a week.
come a time in the next few months,
so we probably will take on people in Employers will be able to top up this
fulfilment. wage, while the UK Government will
also pay employers £1,500 to set
The company was attracted to the up support and training for people
Government’s Kickstart Scheme on Kickstart placements, as well as
from the start, given the potential it helping pay for uniforms and other
offers to bring in new workers at no set up costs.
cost. Townsend observes, “We could
bring in a young person just leav- The jobs will give young people –
ing school or even a graduate who who are more likely to have been
is potentially very well-qualified, but working in sectors disproportionately
struggling to find work.” hit by the pandemic – the opportunity
to build their skills in the workplace
One potential problem for Active and gain experience to improve their
Root is that as a relatively small chances of finding long-term work.
business, it isn’t in a position to of-
fer 30 placements through the Kick- The Chancellor said: “This isn’t just
start Scheme, the minimum required about kickstarting our economy – it
for employers to participate directly, is an opportunity to kickstart the ca-
but Townsend sees plenty of poten- reers of thousands of young people
tial for working with other small em- who would other- wise be left behind
ployers in a similar position as the as a result of the pandemic.”
scheme allows.
The scheme will open the door to a
“We work in a warehouse estate and brighter future for a new generation,
there are lots of businesses like us,” helping Scotland bounce back stron-
he says, “We’re fairly optimistic about ger as a country.
where we’re headed, but we’re also
heading into winter and the down Businesses of all sizes looking to
season.” The key, Townsend argues, create quality jobs for young people
will be to find ways to support busi- can apply and there is no cap on the
nesses through the uncertainty. number of places. Household names
including Tesco and The Prince’s
Support for the future Trust are among those who have al-
ready pledged to offer Kickstart jobs.
A new scheme to help young peo-
ple in Britain into work and boost the The scheme, being delivered by the
country’s economic revival has been Department for Work and Pensions,
launched by the UK Government. will initially be open until December
2021 with the option of being extend-
Businesses are now able to sign ed.
up to be part of the landmark £2bil-
lion Kickstart scheme, giving un- Find out more about Kick-
employed young people a future of Will Townsend, proprietor - Active Root
opportunity and hope by creating start at gov.uk/kickstart