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Grants available to
Liverpool City Region businesses who recruit Apprentices
LIVERPOOL City Region businesses could
get up to £4,000 as an incentive for recruiting new Apprentices as part of the
implementation 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) who haven’t recruited an Apprentice in the last 6 months.
SMEs, based in the Liverpool City Region and employing up to 249 employees,
could access £3,000 for employing an Apprentice aged 16 to 18 years. There’s
also an additional £1,000 available if the young person starts as an Advanced
Apprentice or Higher Apprentice (equivalent to A levels or a 1st degree).
Companies can also benefit by employing Apprentices aged 19 to 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 will need to be received and approved between 1
August and 31 December 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.
Employers are required to pay Apprentices the National Minimum Wage for an
employee’s age in order to be eligible for the grant.
Councillor 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.”
To find out more about the Apprenticeship Grant for Employments scheme, visit:-
LCRSkillsForgrowth.Org.UK.
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