The National Apprenticeship Service is offering Apprenticeship Grants worth £1,500 to small and medium-sized businesses for recruiting their first apprentice aged between 16 and 24 years.
And the initiative has been welcomed by Cambridge Regional College, one of the largest apprenticeship providers in the region.
Laraine Moody, CRC Assistant Principal for Employment ands Skills, said the grant was a very welcome move to encourage smaller businesses to employ apprentices.
“We hope it will mean more local businesses offering opportunities for young people and taking advantage of the business benefits of employing an apprentice,” she said.
The Government is keen that many more young people are given the opportunity to benefit from an apprenticeship and take their first steps on the career ladder.
Karen Woodward, NAS Divisional Area Director (Central), said apprenticeships were a vital way of achieving the high level of skills needed for a strong and growing economy.
“The grant is designed to encourage employers who have identified funding as a barrier to recruiting an apprentice to now get involved, ultimately increasing the number and range of high quality Apprenticeship opportunities available for young people,” she said.
The £1,500 grant, known as AGE 16 to 24, is in addition to the training costs of the chosen apprenticeship framework which are met in full for 16-18 year olds, with 50 per cent of costs paid for those aged 19-24. Employers, who must have fewer than 250 employees, will be required to commit to employing an apprentice for a minimum of 12 months, or the time it takes for the apprentice to complete their programme.
For more information, email CRC on training@camre.ac.uk or ring 01223 418778 to talk to a specialist apprenticeship adviser.
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MEDIA ENQUIRIES
For more information, please contact Lynn O’Shea, Communications & PR Manager, on 01223 418773 or email loshea@camre.ac.uk
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