Pact, the trade association representing UK independent television, film, digital, children’s and animation media companies, has struck up a partnership with experienced media industry apprenticeships provider, DiVA, to offer their members the opportunity to take part in the Government’s Kickstart Scheme.

What is the Kickstart Scheme?

The Scheme is part of the wider Plan for Jobs, announced by the Chancellor last Summer, and aims to create jobs for young people aged 16 – 24 who are claiming Universal Credit and at risk of long-term unemployment.

In essence, employers offer a 6-month placement to an individual and receive funding for 100% of the relevant National Minimum Wage for 25 hours a week, plus associated employer National Insurance contributions and employer minimum auto-enrolment pension contributions.

Why the Pact/DiVA partnership for indies?

One of the key conditions of the Scheme is that applications must be for a minimum of 30 job placements. This obviously presents a significant barrier to SMEs, who may want to participate but cannot offer that many placements alone. However, the Scheme allows for smaller entities to partner with other organisations to reach the minimum number, and submit an application through a Gateway Organisation.

Since the Scheme was first announced, Pact has been looking closely at the details and have been liaising with members to gauge the level of demand. This has led to their decision to find a partner organisation through whom to offer the scheme to Pact members.

Pact decided to work with DiVA, led by Founder and Director Arit Eminue, because of their experience running apprenticeships across the creative sector. DiVA is an official Kickstart Gateway Organisation and is also running a similar Kickstart Scheme for the music industry. DiVA will be responsible for the group application of Pact member companies, helping with key aspects of the Scheme including recruitment and the grant payment process, as well as delivering the required training elements for participants.

The opportunity will be open to Pact member companies across England, Scotland and Wales who can offer a placement or placements which meet the criteria. The Scheme is not currently available in Northern Ireland.

Commenting on the Kickstart Scheme, Pact CEO John McVay said: “We are really pleased at the level of interest shown by our members in taking part in the Government’s Kickstart Scheme and we’re happy to be able to facilitate this by partnering with DiVA. Pact is committed to inclusion in the TV and film industry and we hope that this scheme will provide opportunities for young people who might otherwise not be able to access them.”

DiVA Founder and Director Arit Eminue added: “We’re looking forward to supporting Pact Members to access the resource they need during this period, and help young people, especially those from underrepresented groups, to develop their careers in our industry.”