South East small businesses to benefit from new Apprenticeship grant

A new funding initiative is offering support for South East businesses with fewer than 250 employees to recruit apprentices.

Up to 1,025 AGE 16- 24 Grants are being made available through the European Social Fund in a bid to encourage the region’s employers to take on apprentices from this age group.

The Grant, worth £1,500, is being introduced particularly to support small and medium-sized employers in the private and third sectors and young unemployed adults in the present difficult economic climate.

As well as being aged 16 to 24, Apprenticeship candidates must be unemployed before recruitment and organisations should ensure they are employed by October 31 in order to receive the grant.

Interested employers are urged to act quickly to take advantage of the initiative and avoid disappointment as funds will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

Highbury College Portsmouth is one training provider that can help employers access this grant and also help match them with their ideal apprentice.

Rachel Weeks, Business Development Manager at the College, says: "This really is a fantastic opportunity for small businesses to recruit new talent to their workplace. We have seen a significant rise in interest about Apprenticeships from companies, a sign that businesses are starting to look beyond the recession. 

"We also have hundreds of young people who have undertaken vocational training with the College and we can help companies with matching the right person for their business."

Employers who can benefit from the new Grant include those interested in employing an apprentice for the first time and those returning to recruiting an apprentice after a lapse of twelve months or more.

For further information about the grant and eligibility criteria for it, or to find out more about Apprenticeships, please contact the Business Development Team on 02392 328881 or employers@highbury.ac.uk.

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