CSA granted ‘Kickstart Scheme Gateway’ status from the Department of Work & Pensions

Credit Services Association (CSA), the UK trade body for the collections and debt purchase sector and Approved Apprenticeship Training Provider, has been formally signed off as a ‘Kickstart Scheme Gateway Organisation’ by the Department of Work & Pensions (DWP).

Launched in September 2020, the Government’s Kickstart Scheme provides funding to employers to create job placements for 16-24 year olds on Universal Credit who are at risk of long term unemployment supported by a subsidy equivalent to 100% of National Insurance Contributions and National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage (depending on the age of the participant) for 25 hours per week over six months. CSA applied to become a ‘gateway organisation’ through which its members could submit applications to ‘share’ the minimum 30 job placements originally required. After gathering and submitting a raft of interest and submissions from members, CSA has now had its gateway application accepted and can move forward with supporting them in implementing the programme in their organisations.

The news comes just ahead of CSA’s Learning & Development Conference on 9 February 2021 where Brian McKeown of DWP and Ian Higginbottom of the Education & Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) will be delivering a session on the ‘Kickstart’ Scheme. Brian will be answering CSA members’ questions about what the next steps are following this latest announcement.

Fiona Macaskill, CSA’s Director of Learning & Development, says:

“We believe that ‘Kickstart’ will be of great benefit to our members in attracting and upskilling new talent into the debt collection sector as a first step on a successful career pathway in financial services. We’re absolutely delighted that this offer has come through and we’ll be rolling up our sleeves to help our member firms access the arrangements and match vacancies with suitable candidates as soon as possible. The timing of our Learning & Development Conference couldn’t be better and we look forward to getting more information from Brian at Tuesday’s session.”

It’s not too late to book your place at the half day CSA Learning & Development Conference on Tuesday for just £50 per delegate. The programme also features Ministerial updates and practical sessions for both employers and learners with the overall theme of championing people development in the sector.

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