Chichester College Group welcomes new incentive for apprenticeships

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced a package of financial support for the UK, including a new incentive for employers to hire apprentices over the next six months.

From August 2020 to January 2021, any company that recruits a new apprentice aged between 16 to 24 will receive £2,000, while those that hire new apprentices aged 25 and over will be paid £1,500.

As an ‘Outstanding’ rated apprenticeship training provider, we welcome this as a positive move that will provide employers with extra support to develop and invest in young people, as we emerge from the coronavirus lockdown.

These payments will be in addition to the existing £1,000 incentive the government already provides for new 16 to 18 year-old apprentices, and those aged under 25 with an education, health and care plan where that applies.

This means that employers could receive an incentive of up to £3,000 for hiring 16 to 18 year old apprentices during the six month incentive scheme. Find out more about the scheme.

Paul Rolfe, Group Director of Commercial, Marketing & Sales at the Chichester College Group, said:

“For businesses that are reopening, and potentially looking at a surge in business, apprenticeships have never been a more affordable option to recruit new talent or up-skill existing talent. There are also many other reasons to take on an apprentice other than financial:

1. Improving productivity - More than three-quarters (76%) of employers who employ apprentices agree they make their workplace more productive.
2. Developing staff across all levels of your business - Apprenticeships are also an effective way to up-skill your existing workforce
3. Aiding staff retention - Employing an apprentice can aid staff retention, providing you with skills staff for the future. In a recent survey, 74% of companies surveyed said that apprentices tended to be more loyal than non-apprentices.”

Chichester College Group can help to support your business to take on an apprentice. We deliver apprenticeships to more than 1,000 employers across the South East and offer a wide range of apprenticeship programmes.

To find out more, or to recruit an apprentice, please email employers@ccgtraining.ac.uk or book an appointment online with one of our friendly, expert apprenticeship advisors.