Skip to main content
Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, the home of business support.

Search

For a successful business, you need a viable business idea, the skills to make it work and the funding. Discover whether your idea has what it takes.

Forming your business correctly is essential to ensure you are protected and you comply with the rules. Learn how to set up your business.

Advice on protecting your wellbeing, self-confidence and mental health from the pressures of starting and running a business.

Learn why business planning is an essential exercise if your business is to start and grow successfully, attract funding or target new markets.

It is likely you will need funding to start your business unless you have your own money. Discover some of the main sources of start up funding.

Businesses and individuals must account for and pay various taxes. Understand your tax obligations and how to file, account and pay any taxes you owe.

Businesses are required to comply with a wide range of business laws. We introduce the main rules and regulations you must comply with.

Marketing matters. It drives sales and helps promote your brand and products. Discover how to market your business and reach your target customers.

Some businesses need a high street location whilst others can be run from home. Understand the key factors from cost to location, size to security.

Your employees can your biggest asset. They can also be your biggest challenge. We explain how to recruitment and manage staff successfully.

It is likely your business could not function without some form of IT. Learn how to specify, buy, maintain and secure your business IT.

Few businesses manage the leap from start up to high-growth business. Learn what it takes to scale up and take your business to the next level.

Small firms offer Kickstart placements to young unemployed

8 December 2020

Hundreds of small businesses and sole traders are to provide work placements to unemployed young people under the Kickstart programme.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has given its backing to a scheme which will enable small employers and sole traders to provide work placements to unemployed people aged 16-24 under the government's Kickstart programme.

More than 700 small firms have so far come forward to offer placements through a gateway set up by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), alongside Adecco Working Ventures (AWV) which will be the intermediary employer.

AWV will provide support to the young people taking part throughout their six-month placement and beyond, including mentoring, a dedicated placement manager, skills development, help with CV-building and job applications, as well as post-placement support towards future employment.

AWV will handle all of the administration required for payroll, HR and monitoring, allowing employers to focus on providing a high-quality work placement experience. It means that smaller businesses and sole traders who might otherwise be deterred from offering Kickstart placements can more easily take part. AWV will liaise with Jobcentre Plus to identify and recruit young people best suited to the roles available.

FSB national chairman Mike Cherry said: "The coronavirus crisis has made it much more difficult for young people to find employment, and it is vital that they are given opportunities to gain workplace experience so that they can go on to have successful careers or even become entrepreneurs themselves.

"Small businesses can be the ideal environment to nurture talent, which is why we wanted to see a range of options available to access Kickstart, including this model which will enable even the smallest employers to provide placements."

Thérèse Coffey, the secretary of state for work and pensions, said: "We have opened an important gateway through the Federation of Small Businesses and Adecco Working Ventures to help small employers and sole traders create new life-changing opportunities for young people through our Kickstart scheme.

"This is a crucial part of our Plan for Jobs to create and support jobs across the UK, ensuring help reaches those who need it most and they aren't left without hope or opportunity."

Small firms can apply through the FSB's Kickstart Gateway page on its website.

Written by Rachel Miller.