Kaunas City Municipality has officially opened registration for its 2024 Youth Summer Employment Program, offering a significant financial incentive for local businesses to hire young people. With a dedicated fund of €200,000, the city aims to bridge the gap between education and the professional world by subsidising the wages of students aged 14 to 19 during the peak summer months of July and August.
For employers in Lithuania’s second-largest city, this initiative represents a low-risk opportunity to bolster their teams during the holiday season while mentoring the next generation of workers. For the youth, it is a chance to gain their first professional experience, improve financial literacy, and develop the ‘soft skills’ that are increasingly vital in the modern European labor market.
Financial Incentives for Kaunas Businesses
The core of the program is a direct wage subsidy provided by the municipality. Under the current terms, the city will compensate employers for up to 50% of the minimum monthly wage for each qualifying young person hired. This compensation is available for a maximum of two months per participant, calculated based on the actual hours worked.
To qualify for the subsidy, the employment period must be no shorter than 10 working days. This ensures that the placement is more than just a brief observation and allows the student to actually integrate into the company’s workflow. Each employer is permitted to hire up to five young people simultaneously under this scheme, making it a scalable solution for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and individual entrepreneurs alike.
Applications are open to a wide range of entities, including companies registered in the Republic of Lithuania that operate within Kaunas, non-governmental organisations, and individuals operating under business certificates or individual activity licenses.
Eligibility Criteria for Students and Schools
The program is specifically designed for young residents who have declared their place of residence in Kaunas. The age bracket of 14 to 19 years covers students in general education as well as those enrolled in vocational schools. Crucially, the municipality has emphasized that the program is inclusive, encouraging the participation of youth with special educational needs.
Mayor Visvaldas Matijošaitis described the initiative as a long-term investment in the city’s economic health. “The earlier we provide opportunities for young people to get to know the culture of work, the more confidently they will take their next steps,” he stated. By subsidising these early roles, the city hopes to reduce future youth unemployment and retain talent within the region.
Application Deadlines and Procedures
Employers interested in participating must act quickly, as the registration window is relatively short. The deadline for submitting applications is May 25. The process is primarily digital, handled through the national electronic services portal.
Key steps for employers:
* Registration: Applications must be submitted via e.paslaugos.lt.
* Physical Submission: If electronic filing is not possible, documents can be delivered in person to the Kaunas City Municipality at Laisvės al. 96. However, hand-written forms will not be accepted; documents must be printed and signed.
* Information: Detailed forms and additional guidance are hosted on the official city website, kaunas.lt.
* Contact: For specific queries, the Youth Affairs Coordinator, Greta Jorudaitė, is available via email at greta.jorudaite@kaunas.lt or by phone at +370 (615) 82 447.
This program mirrors similar youth employment schemes seen across the UK and Europe, such as the former Kickstart Scheme, which focused on creating high-quality placements for those at risk of long-term unemployment. By focusing on the 14-19 age group, Kaunas is intervening even earlier, fostering a work ethic before students even finish their secondary education. For businesses, it is not just about cheap labor; it is about discovering motivated talent early and contributing to the social fabric of the city.
Original reporting by: kaunas
Source: Kauno miesto savivaldybė
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