A new government jobs scheme for young people has already helped to create more than 19,000 work placements.

The Kickstart Scheme was announced in July and many of the new participants are set to start work this week, as reported by the BBC.

Young people have been among the worst hit by rising unemployment due to the Covid-19 crisis and the scheme is one initiative aimed at easing long-term youth joblessness. While the overall unemployment rate is currently 4.8 per cent, the rate for 16-24 year olds is now 14.6 per cent.

For young people in sectors hit particularly hard by the pandemic, like hospitality and high street retail, there are no vacancies available. The few vacancies there are tend to be in areas like healthcare, which is a big change from working in a shop or restaurant. The Kickstart Scheme is a way of getting these young people valuable paid work experience to help bridge that gap.

The scheme is open to 16-to-24 year olds who are claiming universal credit and aims to create a total of 250,000 work placements between now and December

Under the scheme, the government covers all of the age-relevant National Minimum Wage for 25 hours per week, plus pension and National Insurance contributions.

Employers also get £1,500 to set up support and training, and to pay for uniforms and other costs.

Employers have to prove the Kickstart placements do not replace existing jobs.

Read more about how to take part in the scheme here.