Grant boosts for businesses taking on apprentices

UP to £4,000 is up for grabs for Liverpool City Region businesses as an incentive for recruiting apprentices.

Part of the Liverpool City Region’s devolution plans for employment and skills, the new Apprenticeship Grant for Employers is available to Small to Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) that haven’t recruited an apprentice in the last six months.

SMEs employing up to 249 employees, could access £3,000 for employing an apprentice aged 16 to 18 years.  

There is also an additional £1,000 available if the young person starts as an Advanced Apprentice or Higher Apprentice (equivalent to A levels or a first degree).

Companies can also benefit by employing apprentices aged 19-24, with a grant of up to £2,500 with a similar bonus £1,000 if starting as an Advanced or Higher Apprentice.

Applications for the grants need to be received and approved between August 1 and December 31 2016.  

Employers will need to employ the apprentice for the duration of their training, a minimum of 12 months, but are eligible for the grant after 13 weeks of apprenticeship employment.  Employers can apply for up to five grants when employing apprentices simultaneously.

Companies are required to pay Apprentices the National Minimum Wage for an employee’s age in order to be eligible for the grant.

Cllr Ian Maher, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority’s portfolio lead for employment and skills, said: “This scheme demonstrates the power of local devolution.

“By tailoring national grants to meet the needs of local priorities, the Liverpool City Region can support a wider range of small companies to improve the skills of new staff.  In addition, it gives young people an opportunity to get on the career ladder, improve their job prospects and earning potential whilst gaining invaluable skills and experience.”