Are you interested in taking on an Apprentice?

Focus Training (SW) Ltd. currently have access to an employer grant that can benifit your business whilst taking on an Apprentice ages between 16-24.

National Apprenticeship Service AGE Grant

The National Apprenticeship Service has made 40,000 spaces available for employers to access up to £1500 when taking on a new Apprentice.

From April 2012, businesses with up to 250 employees maybe eligible for this incentive if they recruit somebody from the age of 16-24 as an Apprentice. The  National Apprenticeship Service stipulate that employer incentive will be paid in 1 installment – £1500 after 13 weeks of the Apprenticeship start date. However in reality, it will be paid after 20 weeks after we have applied for the grant,  recieved it and paid the employer.

If the employer is eligible for this grant, they can sign up to taking on 10 Apprentices in the year term. The incentive can be used for increasing hours of part time staff (16 hours or below) up to full time staff (35 hours or more).

Eligibility criteria states that:

• The Employer would not be in a position to employ this new Apprentice without the AGE 16-24 payment.
• The Employer will employ the apprentice/s for at least the time it takes to complete their apprenticeship programme, or a minimum of 12 months, whichever is greater.
• The employer will pay the Apprentice at least the minimum wage for a 16-24 year old Apprentice of £2.65 per hour, including time for off the job training.
• The employer has not employed an Apprentice  within the past 12 months
• The employer has less than 250 employees in the UK
• A commitment that the employer will employ the Apprentice for a minimum of 12 months
• If the Apprentice leaves or is dismissed after week 8, but before completion of 12 month, the employer will not receive the second payment of £750

For more information Click Here to download the official leaflet by the National Apprenticeship Service