Financial support is being provided to help employers in England hire new apprentices in a move designed to boost employment following the coronavirus outbreak.
Funding body: National Apprenticeship Service
Maximum value: Discretionary
Application deadline: None specified
Background
Funded by the Government, this programme is delivered by the National Apprenticeship Service.
Objectives of Fund
Apprenticeships are jobs with training, that benefit people of all ages and backgrounds. Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, employers may be facing challenges with hiring new apprentices. In response, the Government has introduced incentive payments for hiring a new apprentice.
Through the scheme, employers in England are being encouraged to take advantage of new cash incentives designed to create more high quality apprenticeship opportunities so more people, particularly young people, can kick-start a rewarding career.
Value Notes
The scheme provides employers that hire a new apprentice between 1 August 2020 and 31 January 2021 with a payment of:
£2,000 for each new apprentice aged 16 to 24
£1,500 for each new apprentice over the age of 25
The Government will make this payment in addition to the £1,000 payment that employers already receive for taking on an apprentice aged 16 to 18 or under the age of 25 with an education, health and care plan.
The money does not need to be paid back to the Government.
Who Can Apply
Employers, both large and small, of new apprentices in England may apply. Employers can also get the incentive payment when they hire an apprentice who has been made redundant, as long as they are new to the organisation.
Location
England
Eligible Expenditure
An incentive payment for hiring a new apprentice is different to the Apprenticeship Levy, and applicants can spend it on anything to support their organisation’s costs. For example, they could spend it on facilities, uniforms, the apprentice’s travel or their salary.
How To Apply
From 1 September 2020, employers can apply for the incentive payment through their apprenticeship service account.
The Government will make the payments directly to employers’ bank accounts. The first payments will be made from January 2021.
Interested parties should contact the National Apprenticeship Service for further details.
Useful Links
Financial Support for Apprenticeships – Employer Incentive