OPPORTUNITY: Highland Employment Recruitment Offer - grant support up to £6,000 to employers

17th March 2021

The Highland Council has opened applications for the Highland Employment Recruitment Offer (HERO), which offers grant support of up to £6,000 to help employers meet the cost of recruiting and employing someone who fits the criteria.

Full details of the HERO fund can be found on the Highland Council website , and we have summarised the key eligibility criteria below.

Employers

Have less than 50 employees based in the Highland Council area

Are not planning redundancies

Will not be receiving any other public funds to support the creation of the post

Have not filled the post before written approval of the application has been provided

Must have appropriate employer's liability insurance

Note that employers do not need to have a recruit identified at the initial application stage, and can apply for a maximum of two HERO grants.

Jobs

Must be within the Highland Council area, be for a minimum of 16 hours a week and be either:

a permanent contract

a fixed term contract for 52 weeks or more (with potential flexibility for seasonal businesses)

a Modern or Graduate Apprenticeship

Must pay at least the age appropriate National Minimum Wage/Living Wage

Must pay a salary greater than the funding received

Must have a signed written contract of employment within 2 months of starting

Must not be a zero hour contract

HERO can be used to support the filling of vacancies and the creation of new roles - it cannot cover sickness or maternity leave, be used to replace a redundant post, or be used for someone who is already in post

Recruits

You can employ someone who meets ALL of the following criteria:

Unemployed, completing a paid work experience payment (e.g. Kickstart and Community Jobs Scotland), or has been issued with a formal redundancy notice

Has not left another job voluntarily to take up an opportunity supported by HERO

Are aged between 16-67 years, has the right to live and work in the UK, and has permanent residence within the Highland Council area

Further information for employers on how to apply and the evidence required in support of an application can be found on the Highland Council website

 

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