In a direct response to the national ‘job crisis’ in 2020, Calico Enterprise were one of the chosen organisations to deliver the ‘Kickstart scheme’. The programme aimed to support people between the ages of 16-24 on Universal Credit who faced the risk of long-term unemployment.
Calico Enterprise is the skills and employability service run by The Calico Group, and they helped 70 percent of people through this scheme into work and recruited 72 out of 74 vacancies.
Although the national scheme wasn’t the success that had been hoped for, with half the roles available not being filled, The Calico Group proved to be an exception.
70% of local young people who applied to the Kickstart scheme through Enterprise, have since progressed into further jobs either within Calico or external companies.
The Calico Group officially ended the Kickstart scheme that helped young people with employment and training opportunities at the start of 2023 and the benefits continue to be seen.
Ben Green, Trainee Employment Coach at Calico Enterprise, who came through the scheme. said: “I simply cannot thank everyone enough on my team for all the wonderful support and guidance I have been given, I joined the company feeling rather anxious with low self-confidence and it has been an excellent first step into employment.
I have also had the pleasure of gaining ten new qualifications while at Calico, including mental health first aid, and level 2 counselling skills both of which have supported my role as a trainee employment coach.”
Lindsey Danson, Service Operations Manager at Calico Enterprise said: “Our personalised approach was vital for us achieving success in the kickstart scheme and giving an opportunity for young people to progress into different sectors and job roles.
We have a well-established skills and employability offer at Calico, delivering various projects for those that need support getting into employment. We are continuing to explore options in which we can deliver future work placement programmes and if you need any help with skills or employment support, please get in touch.”
