National Apprenticeship Service: New funding for employers
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Nick Wilson, regional director for the National Apprenticeship Service in Yorkshire and the Humber, discusses the new Apprenticeship funding available to employers. I’m delighted that the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) is bolstering its commitment to supporting businesses thinking of taking on apprentices, by providing up to 5,000 Apprenticeship grants worth £2,500 each. The new Apprenticeship Grant for Employers 16-17 (AGE 16-17) is a new funding initiative launched by the NAS, which is aimed at employers who take on unemployed 16-17 year olds as apprentices before the end of March 2010. The AGE 16-17 is in addition to the costs of training which is also covered by the NAS and demonstrates the wealth of funding support now available to employers who want to provide an Apprenticeship programme. We want to support businesses, particularly those that are small and medium sized, who want to employ an apprentice for the first time or an additional apprentice over and above their traditional level of recruitment. We feel these grants will provide a terrific boost to employers, particularly in the current economic climate which remains challenging for many. We announced the AGE 16-17 during National Apprenticeship Week earlier this month, and have already been overwhelmed by the level of interest and enquiries we have received from employers across a very diverse range of business sectors. In addition to this major funding announcement, National Apprenticeship Week again proved to be a resounding success. The high octane launch at Tockwith race track near York, pitted the horsepower of machine against animal to illustrate the variety of Apprenticeships that span a staggering 190 careers across 80 industry sectors. Another highlight from the week saw business leaders and MPs roll up their sleeves and go back to the floor to experience life as an apprentice to see first hand how Apprenticeships can benefit businesses. Chief executives and MPs who took part included, Nigel Clibbens from Huddersfield Town Football Club, Gary Lumby, president of Leeds Chamber of Commerce and Phil Willis MP. Meanwhile, government minister Iain Wright also made a special visit to Leeds to chair The Great Apprenticeship debate, which brought together 70 people, including around 40 college students to help young people and employers learn more about Apprenticeships. As well as celebrating the thousands of talented apprentices in the region, the week really demonstrated the need for more employers to provide Apprenticeships across Yorkshire and the Humber and the essential role that Apprenticeships play in today’s business world. New research commissioned through the NAS and the British Chambers of Commerce shows that 61 per cent of Yorkshire and the Humber businesses plan to recruit apprentices this year, whilst 62 per cent of businesses who currently – or have recently employed apprentices – said they made a positive contribution during the recession. This research is compelling evidence that investing in Apprenticeships can transform an organisation. They are vital to businesses and the economy, helping increase productivity and competitiveness, whilst equipping companies with a skilled, motivated workforce. In a wider context, Apprenticeships will also stimulate the region’s future, long-term economic growth and are set to play a pivotal role within the up-turn. The terrific strides being made within Apprenticeships don’t stop here, with the NAS continuing to offer the levels of support and advice to ensure that even more businesses across Yorkshire and the Humber can reap the rewards by providing a successful Apprenticeship programme. Here’s looking forward to another groundbreaking year for Apprenticeships! Funding support through the Apprenticeship Grant for Employers 16-17 (AGE 16-17) is a short-term measure and is immediately open to employers who are able to offer a job opportunity to an unemployed young person aged 16-17 before March 31st, 2010. For further information on the AGE 16-17 and other advice and support on Apprenticeships, log on to www.apprenticeships.org.uk or phone 08000 150 600. More articles in
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