Register your interest for a government-funded Kickstart employee for your racing business

3 Dec 2021

There is still time to register for a government-funded Kickstarter to work for your business or charity.

The deadline for employer expression of interest has been extended until December 17, 2021.

The Kickstart Scheme allows horseracing businesses and charities to employ young people for free for six months, provided they are aged 16 to 24 and claiming universal credit.

The funding covers 100 per cent of the National Minimum Wage for 25 hours per week for a total of six months plus £1,500 per employee to support set-up costs.

Kickstart candidates, also known as Kickstarters, are available to fill a variety of roles including ground and maintenance staff and communications, marketing or administrative roles.

The Racing Foundation and British Racing School (BRS) have developed a programme of support for employers interested in offering employment to a Kickstarter.

“We’re receiving high-quality candidates with some really strong work experience, really strong qualifications, and a really keen appetite to work, said BRS Kickstart Project Manager Pip Kirkby.

“We’ve got employers from across the industry currently involved including racecourses, bookmakers and charities. The types of roles available have varied from communications assistants, to administration and HR roles, to on course support for bookmakers and horse facing roles.

“There has been a mixture of candidates applying and some have a prior interest in racing, but it is also a really good way of introducing people to the industry which is what the BRS training modules seek to do.

“The Kickstart scheme is a way to recruit young people into the industry long term.

“At the end of the scheme, we will look to support the Kickstarters into future employment within racing.”

Leah Lowis, 20, has recently joined the industry through the Kickstart scheme and is now working as a Communications and Events Assistant at the Racing Foundation.

“I think Kickstart is a fantastic way to help young people into racing. With the variety of posts available it is easy to find and apply for a job which suits your skills,” she said.

“Kickstart has given me an alternate approach to joining the industry, providing me with an opportunity to learn while I work in an area I am interested in.

“I am truly enjoying my new role and I’m looking forward to the future opportunities it will provide within racing.”

If you’re interested in hiring a Kickstarter for your business and want to find out more, contact Pip Kirkby on [email protected] or call on 07796996081 before the deadline of December 17.