ACS has created 34 new roles for young people, aged 16-24, to embark on career enhancing six-month on-the-job training placements under the UK Governments Kickstart scheme.
We have introduced these placements across a variety of business functions including: Finance, Marketing, Warehouse Operations, Textile Care, and IT Support. This fantastic Kickstart scheme is offered specifically to those receiving Universal Credit as an opportunity to learn, upskill and ‘kickstart’ their career.
Training and development
As an approved SQA centre, ACS offer SVQ qualifications in Warehousing, Textile Care, and Logistics alongside on-the-job training. This will allow those on the training placements to improve their skills, and knowledge whilst working at ACS and beyond. In addition, we have engaged with external organisations to provide employees on the Kickstart scheme with valuable life skills in Emergency First Aid, Fire Safety Training and Health and Safety.
In addition to training opportunities, the Kickstart employees will benefit from 1-to-1 mentorship from senior employees to support with personal development.
Exceeding Kickstart Scheme expectations
The Government Kickstart placements are 25-hour contracts at the national minimum wage. However, as an accredited living wage employer, ACS have adapted the contracts to offer full-time hours at the National Living Wage.
Monique Lerpiniere, Development Program Administrator says:
‘When I first found out about the Kickstart scheme, I thought it was an excellent concept. I‘ve witnessed the scheme completely transform the demeanour of people who once lacked confidence in their abilities or future career prospects. At ACS, the Kickstart scheme allows young people to learn on the job alongside experienced professionals. They not only gain confidence in their specific role but also integrate into the workplace by building lasting working relationships. Paired with a myriad of external, internal and online training, the Kickstart employees at ACS come out of the scheme with numerous qualifications and a renewed sense of purpose.’
Thomas Dyball, Kickstart Finance Assistance says:
‘The kickstart program has allowed me to experience first-hand what it is like to work in a finance department. Before joining the Kickstart program, I had no experience in finance therefore it was difficult to find employment. However, I will have gained six months on-the-job experience by the end of the Kickstart placement with ACS. This experience will help me to find a new role, if I am not kept on at ACS at the end of the placement.’
Embedded within ACS company ethos is the desire to improve the lives of our employees and our local community. Investing in our team’s continuous development is at the core of ACS’s values therefore, we welcome the opportunity to offer more placements like this in the future.
If you are interested in offering Kickstart placements in your own organisation, you can find out more here.