Businesses are being urged not to miss out on funding to help them take on new apprentices to support their recovery and growth.
The Government is providing an incentive payment of £3,000 for every new apprentice a company takes on.
To receive the money the apprentice must have been employed between 1 April 2021 and 30 September 2021 and start their apprenticeship before 30 November 2021.
They also cannot have been employed by the company applying within six months of the start of their contract. There is no limit on the number of payments a business can receive as long as each apprentice employed meets the criteria.
The money is on top of the £1,000 the Government already pays employers for hiring an apprentice aged 16 to 18-years-old or under 25 with an education, health and care plan or who has been in the care of their local authority.
Apprentices are seen as an important part of the recovery of the local and national economy, allowing businesses to train their future workforce for their specific needs and fill skills gaps.
For individuals, they offer a way of gaining experience of doing a job while also gaining qualifications and earning money.
Apprenticeships are available at a variety of levels including degree level, offering a debt free route to a qualification.
In 2019 the average starting wage for an apprentice was £17,800 a year but pay levels vary. The salary takes into account the employer is paying for the cost of the qualification.
Cllr Daniel Walton, Executive Board Member for Economic Development on Malvern Hills District Council, said: "Apprentices are going to play an important role in our local economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. They provide businesses with the opportunity to train their own workforce to support their growth and individuals with a route to a debt free qualification plus on the job experience and money in their pocket.
"I'd urge all businesses to look at taking on an apprentice, and to take advantage of the Government's enhanced apprenticeship payment, before the deadline."
Businesses interested in taking on an apprentice should contact Christine Butler, Economic Development Officer for Malvern Hills District Council, by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 01684 862183.
