£2,500 more funding for apprenticeships – but not for long!

The National Apprenticeship Service will provide up to 5,000 Apprenticeship Grants for Employers of 16 and 17 year olds (AGE 16 and 17) with a value of £2,500 to encourage employers to take on unemployed 16-17 year olds as apprentices.

• Its aim is to support employers to offer new and additional places in support of young people.
• The grant is 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.
• Employers will receive a quick response, either through the National Apprenticeship Service, or through their training provider, on whether the Apprenticeship Grant is available. All training providers who hold a contract to deliver Apprenticeships with the LSC are able to offer this incentive to employers.

How will employers receive the grant?

• The payments will be administered by the National Apprenticeship Service through their approved training provider network 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.
• The National Apprenticeship Service will help employers to find a suitable training provider to deliver the training programme and to recruit an apprentice.
• 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. This includes those who may have had a place in a college or school but have subsequently dropped out. 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.  If you would like to express your interest in receiving support through AGE 16 and 17 please contact the National Apprenticeship Service, either by completing the online enquiry form (