RECRUITMENT
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is seeking employers in select areas to provide jobs to young people through the scheme.
The Jobs Guarantee provides a fully subsidised 6-month paid job to 18-24-year-olds, with the DWP funding all employment costs for 25 hours a week for 6 months.
The Jobs Guarantee was first announced as part of the government’s plan to tackle youth unemployment, with nearly a million young people currently not being in education, employment, or training.
Attracting new people, and especially young people is crucial to the long term sustainability of our sector. The Jobs Guarantee gives employers the funding and support necessary to create those opportunities for the next generation of technicians.
The scheme is expected to run over the next three years, providing guaranteed jobs for 90,000 people. For a young person to be eligible, they need to be aged 18-24 and have been on Universal Credit and looking for work for 18 months.
A young person involved in the scheme has a guaranteed 25 hours of work per week, at minimum wage, for 6 months.
Karen Dawes, BPCA Training and Professional Development Manager, said:
As an industry facing a significant skills gap, with around 40% of our workforce expected to retire in the next ten years, attracting young people into pest management has never been more important.
Karen Dawes, BPCA Training and Professional Development Manager
She continued:
"The DWP Jobs Guarantee offers a fantastic opportunity for employers to bring new talent into the sector, fully supported and without financial barriers.
"At BPCA, our EDI Committee is working hard to open the door wider for young people, and our new qualification framework is being designed to give clear, accessible progression routes from entry level through to advanced technical and management roles.
"This scheme aligns perfectly with that ambition. It gives young people a meaningful first step into a career that is skilled, valued, and full of opportunity, and we strongly encourage employers to get involved".
What support do Employers get?
DWP will fund 100% of the young person’s wages at the minimum wage for 25 hours per week for the full six-month period. Employer National Insurance Contributions and relevant minimum employer pension contributions will also be covered.
However, these costs will be incurred by the employer first before being reimbursed.
£250 is available to reimburse the costs of starting an employee under the scheme. This can include uniform, PPE, basic equipment and workplace adjustments.
How can I get involved as an Employer?
Currently, the scheme is within its first phase and covers select geographic areas, providing 1200 jobs.
Phase one started in April, with the first jobs scheduled to start as early as May, and the last jobs expected to finish by April 2027.
To get involved, you should contact the lead Delivery Partners for your area:
You can also contact the DWP’s Employer Services.
Members, if you need any additional support, we’re here to help! Email us at training@bpca.org.uk