Young people will have a great opportunity to give their careers a flying start, meet prospective employers, and find out about the Kickstart Scheme, at a free virtual event next month.

The Kickstart Job Shop,  hosted by the Watford Chamber of Commerce, is taking place on Wednesday, May 12 in partnership with Watford Job Centre Plus and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

The free event will give young people the chance to connect with  local companies and organisations, speak to potential employers, and discover the number of Kickstart opportunities available in Watford and the surrounding areas.

Businesses from a vast range of different fields will be in attendance, from the public and private sectors, charities, and not-for-profit organisations. Speakers lending their expertise will include Dean Russell, MP for Watford, as well as representatives from the DWP and The Youth Group.

The Kickstart Scheme is a new initiative which takes a hands-on approach in combatting youth unemployment in the wake of the pandemic, giving young people the boost they need for their careers to take off.

It is open to all 16 to 24 year olds who are on Universal Credit, and aims to match them with a Kickstart job, providing them with at least 25 hours of work per week for six months, as well as numerous training and development opportunities. Roles are available in a wide range of sectors, from marketing, to construction, retail, operations, engineering, and many more.

Ines Ferreira, who is a Kickstarter at the Watford Chamber of Commerce, said: “I am a true advocate for the Kickstart Scheme - it is such an amazing opportunity. It has allowed me to develop all of my skills and network with so many businesses, and it has helped me to find my passion. I can’t thank the chamber enough.”

Employers also stand to benefit from the Kickstart scheme. They will have access to a wide range of talented candidates, all of whose wages and employment costs will be covered by the Government, and  will be able to make a significant contribution to the future of the local economy.

The Kickstart Job Shop will be open from 4pm until 5pm on May 12, and is hosted on the online conferencing platform Remo.

For more information and to sign up, visit https://watfordchamber.co.uk/events/kickstart-job-shop/