Apprentice Grant for Employers for Apprentices aged 16 and 17 (AGE 16 and 17)
Information from the National Apprenticeship Service
- Up to 5,000 Apprenticeship Grants are available for employers of 16 and 17 year olds (AGE 16 and 17)
- The grant value is £2,500 and is in addition to the costs of training which is met by the National Apprenticeship Service
Which employers can benefit from AGE 16 and 17?
Employers who would not otherwise have been in position to recruit an apprentice at this point in time, or who are able to offer more Apprenticeships places than they would otherwise have done.
When will AGE 16 and 17 be available?
The grant will be available immediately. This initiative is a short-term (available until the end of March 2010) measure and is available now for employers who are able to offer a job opportunity to an unemployed young person aged 16 or 17.
How will employers receive the grant?
The payments will be administered by the National Apprenticeship Service through West Suffolk College who will manage the payments and paperwork. Employers will receive the grant in two payments - £1,500 when the young person starts their Apprenticeship and a further £1,000 after 12 weeks.
Employers will be asked to sign an agreement which commits them to employing a new or additional apprentice in paid employment for the duration of the Apprenticeship training programme. Employers will pay the apprentice at least the minimum Apprenticeship wage of £95 per week, including off the job training. If the apprentice leaves early, the employer will be asked to repay a proportion of the grant.
Which young people are eligible?
All 16 and 17 year olds who are not in employment or already on an Apprenticeship programme are eligible. The young person will need to have been recruited and in work before the end of March 2010.
To apply for AGE 16 and 17 is simple and straightforward.
Contact West Suffolk College Apprenticeship Department on 01284 716 388 or email wbl@wsc.ac.uk
*Subject to terms and conditions
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