On 1^st August 2020, the government introduced a new scheme of financial incentives for apprenticeships to encourage employers to hire apprentices. Originally the scheme was supposed to end on 31^st March 2021, but it has now been extended. The original scheme was for employers who hired an apprentice aged 16-18, under 25 with an education, health and care plan, or who have been in the care of their local authority. These employers were then permitted to receive a payment of £1000. They would also receive an additional payment of £2000 if they hired an apprentice in this age range. If an employer hired an apprentice aged 25 and above, they would still receive payment of £1500.

Not only is the financial incentive programme being extended for a further 6 months but it is also increasing to payment of £3000 for each new apprentice regardless of their age. This will still be on top of the regular £1000 for apprentices ages 16-18 and under 25 with an education, health and care plan, or has been in the care of their local authority. This means some employers could receive up to £4000 in total for hiring an apprentice.
These changes have been made to benefit more people; a better incentive for employers, and a boost to opportunities for anyone looking to gain new qualifications, as well as for many young people and school leavers.
The Chief Executive of the Association of Employment and Learning Providers, Jane Hickie, said that the financial incentive boost could potentially be “Game-changing” and will prove to be “particularly attractive to smaller businesses.”
The removal of the age restriction opens doors for employers and apprentices alike. Many will agree that apprenticeships are often commonly associated with younger people, however, they are for all ages. Anyone can expand on their knowledge and gain new skills, and apprenticeships are the best way to do this no matter your age.

All apprentices must be in full-time employment and undertake their apprenticeship to qualify for the grant. They must also provide evidence at these times in an individualised learner record. There is also a procedure put in place if an apprentice is made redundant. If this is the case, they can still be eligible as long as they are a new employee of your organisation. To get the second instalment the apprentice must have a least one year of training left to complete.

With these new plans, it will allow for individuals to be linked to an agency rather than a single employer, allowing them to take on multiple roles in more than one business sector. This will target industries with more flexible working patterns and will allow for these sectors to spend more of their levy fund and make a stronger impact.

The flexi-job apprenticeship is expected to commence in January of 2022, but the treasury announced that from July 2021 employers will be able to bid for money from the £7 million fund to create new agencies.

The new financial incentive for apprenticeships scheme is a great new development within the apprenticeship industry and is a great way to motivate employers to hire apprentices. This will allow employers to see the opportunities that having an apprentice on a team can bring and what different training avenues it can lead to. Many businesses will go against hiring an apprentice over a new full-time employee as they wish to provide tailored training, which is often costly. But with changes like this, it will help to push businesses into finding apprentices that suit their company. Apprenticeships with Capital 4 Training are always tailored to the individual learner to ensure they build the skill set needed for the job. If you’d like any more information on apprenticeships, funding and courses, get in touch today.