New Apprenticeship grants announced
Posted by Carly Roper on Tuesday 26 January 2010
The National Apprenticeship Service has announced a new grant scheme available to employers hiring 16 and 17 year old Apprentices.
The fund will provide grants of up to £2,500 to the first 5000 businesses recruiting young Apprentices before 31st March 2010.
Last year, despite tough labour market conditions, over 70,000 16 and 17 year olds started an Apprenticeship, however there are still many more young people who want to learn whilst they are in work.
The National Apprenticeship Service has introduced the new grant scheme to open up the Apprenticeships programme to employers who would not otherwise have been in a position to recruit an Apprentice.
Employers will receive the grant in two payments - £1,500 when the young person starts their Apprenticeship and a further £1,000 after 12 weeks of employment.
The £2,500 grant is in addition to the costs of training which is met by the National Apprenticeship Service. Apprenticeship training is delivered by the Chamber, who can also take the strain of recruitment by assisting with advertising and shortlisting for your vacancy.
Christine Barton, Training Services Manager at St Helens Chamber, said: “The Apprenticeship programme provides a fantastic opportunity for employers to recruit affordable, hard working staff that are willing to learn. Over 80% of employers who hire apprentices agree they make their workplace more productive. With this new offering from the National Apprenticeship programme there has never been a better time to recruit an Apprentice.”
For more information about Apprenticeships delivered by St Helens Chamber click here or alternatively call Debbie Hillon on 01744 742064.
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