The theme of this year’s National Apprenticeship Week taking place between the 8th and 14th February is ‘Build The Future’.
‘Build The Future’ aims to encourage everyone to consider how apprenticeships help individuals to build the skills and knowledge required for a rewarding career.
The theme goes hand in hand with the running incentive hosted by the government, who are offering up to £2,000 payouts for organisations who have recently recruited an apprenticeship or have it in the pipeline.
If you could do with a little more help around the business in terms of funds or staff, why not hire an apprentice? There are so many young, hard-working individuals in the UK willing to take on the challenge and exciting opportunity of becoming an apprentice.
So, immerse yourself into the theme of Build The Future for your workplace and read more about the details of the new apprentice funding scheme in celebration of National Apprenticeship Week 2021.
The Details
If you take on new apprentices from 1 February 2021, you can apply for an incentives grant between 1 February 2021 and 30 April 2021.
The government have introduced payments to support employers who hire new apprentices between 1 August 2020 and 31 March 2021.
The payment is in addition to the £1,000 employers already receive for hiring an apprentice:
- aged 16 to 18 years old
- under 25 with an education, health and care plan or has been in the care of their local authority
What you’ll get
For apprentices aged 16 to 24, employers will receive £2,000 and for apprentices 25 and over, employers will receive £1,500.
What you can use the money for
Your organisation can use the payment to support your organisation’s costs, for example, on uniforms, salaries or travel expenses. You do not have to pay it back.
Eligibility
You cannot apply for an existing employee who joined your organisation before 1 August 2020, even if they started an apprenticeship after this date.
When you’ll receive payments
The government will make the payment in 2 equal instalments for each apprentice. The first payment is after an apprentice completes 90 days of their apprenticeship and the second is after 365 days.
To receive the full payment, the apprenticeship must last for at least one year.
After you apply, you can view the estimated payment dates for each apprentice in your apprenticeship service account.
Would you like to apply?
A little more about National Apprenticeship Week
We are asking employers to help the nation Build the Future by encouraging everyone to consider how apprenticeships can help build organisations for years to come; whilst showing the clear return on investment realised when apprentices are brought into the business.
As a result of the pandemic and many individuals relying on technology and virtual meetings more than ever, National Apprenticeship Week 2021 will be different, but just as exciting. NAW2021 will celebrate the motivating stories of how apprentices have helped business adapt and build during a difficult year.
To support National Apprenticeship Week 2021, individuals, employers, training providers and communities are being encouraged to get involved, to celebrate apprenticeships and how they:
TRAIN apprentices, and future proof their workforce and careers through apprenticeships;
RETAIN apprentices, gaining the skills and knowledge needed by the business, and seeing apprentices thrive, whilst having an impact;
ACHIEVE a real return on investment from apprentices; realising the business benefits of apprenticeships, with apprentices progressing in their chosen careers.
– GOV.co.uk
Is it time for a new addition to your team? Would you benefit from the incentive given by the government to recruit a new apprentice? Consider it! It could be the boost your business needs.
Looking for other ways to boost your business and not sure an apprentice is the right step? Consider Snizl. With over 320,000 shoppers signed up and the ability to market for free, it’s a win-win marketing method!