LOCAL companies are being urged to take part in the government's new Kickstart scheme.
The initiative is aimed at giving 16-24 year-olds claiming Universal Credit a six-month paid work placement.
The government will fund the placement at the age-relevant national minimum wage.
Eileen McClafferty, employer and partner manager in Inverclyde for the DWP, said: "It is a great opportunity for young people to gain work experience, skills and training.
"It is also something to put on their CV and enable them to get a reference."
The government will pay employers £1,500 to set up support and training for people on a placement, as well as helping pay for uniforms and other set up costs.
To help smaller businesses, employers offering less than 30 placements will be asked to make a bid through an intermediary.
Eileen said: "Within Inverclyde we have already seen some interest from Inverclyde Chamber of Commerce and CVS Inverclyde to become representatives, as well as a number of employers looking to create placement opportunities."
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