Pioneer FM launches Kickstart Scheme

Pioneer FM has developed a pilot, Kickstart scheme for Trainee Area Manager’s. This follows on from our CEO Mary-Jane Pettit’s recent comments about attracting and recruiting talent in the FM industry in Twin FM.

"If more cleaning companies take this approach to development, I am convinced we will drive recruitment and attract more people to the cleaning industry.

What is Kickstart?

The Kickstart Scheme makes up part of the Government’s ‘Plan for Jobs’ skills and employment programmes, which also include Apprenticeships, T Levels and Traineeships.

The Kickstart Scheme offers six-month jobs for young people aged 16 to 24 years old who are currently claiming Universal Credit and are at risk of long-term unemployment. Not only will you have a young person working for you, funded by the Government, you will also be supporting them to develop transferable skills that are aimed at increasing their chances of sustained employment.

Thousands of employers like Pioneer FM, across the private, public and not-for-profit sectors, have secured funding, which covers:

100% of the National Minimum Wage (or the National Living Wage depending on the age of the participant) for 25 hours per week for a total of 6 months
associated employer National Insurance contributions
minimum automatic enrolment pension contributions
a grant of £1,500 per job to cover setup costs and employability support

The Pioneer FM Kickstart scheme goes live in October, with 10 people across the UK. The kickstart scheme will run for six months looking to make some of the trainee’s permanent members of the Pioneer FM team.

The Pioneer FM kick-starters will take on different roles across the business, ensuring they learn the basics of the cleaning industry, such as health and safety, security screening, recruitment, human resources, quality management, social responsibility, and business development.

People first

Since its inception, Pioneer FM has always placed its Pioneers first. We are fully committed to being a responsible employer, and we endeavour to provide a rewarding and fulfilling work environment for all our Pioneers. We will always put our Pioneers' well-being and safety first. We commit to paying the Real Living Wage, providing consistent health and safety training, and offering high-quality employee engagement and reward programmes.

Pioneer FM CEO MJ Pettit said of the recent news:

"I am beyond delighted that Pioneer FM has secured a kickstart grant. When I started Pioneer FM I wanted to drive positive change for the lives of our Pioneers across the industry. The Kickstart scheme will help us go one step further by helping young people, currently on Universal Credit and with no experience of facilities management, gain valuable experience of our industry. I am also hoping to find some talent to join the business long term".