Trafford Council are launching a new Apprenticeship Support Grant which will help smaller employers grow by developing new talent.
The #SeeDifferent Small-to-Medium Enterprise (SME) scheme will offer a £3,000 grant to employers to help with salary and training costs associated with an apprenticeship. It is aimed at small and medium sized businesses who have not previously recruited an apprentice and will offer additional incentives and support to remove barriers that have prevented them from taking on an apprentice.
Businesses will have access to grants, help with training and recruitment, support with workforce planning and advice on creating quality opportunities in order to boost the number of high quality apprenticeship opportunities across the borough.
The grant of £3,000 will go directly to businesses and will be available to eligible businesses between 1st April 2019 and March 2020.
This is the first time that apprenticeship funding has been available to support residents of all ages in Trafford. It is aimed to attract older people who may wish to retrain and start a new career as well as younger people just starting out on their careers.
Councillor James Wright, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Investment, Regeneration and Strategic Planning, said:
Trafford Council are committed to supporting local businesses and this is an exciting opportunity for employers and residents in Trafford.
Small businesses are the backbone of our economy but employers sometimes struggle to navigate the skills system to access apprenticeships and don’t know where to go for help and guidance. This scheme will support employers with the process as well as providing funding to contribute towards the salary costs for an employer."
To be eligible for the grant scheme the employer must be:
- A Small or medium sized employer (employing less than 250 staff)
- Based in Trafford
- Exempt from paying the apprenticeship levy
- Not have taken on a new apprentice in the last two years
- Willing to pay national minimum wage rate for age
For further details about the Trafford SME Apprenticeship Package, please visit the Invest in Trafford Apprenticesahip Support page or contact the Council’s Strategic Growth Team on 0161 912 4176 or email apprentices@trafford.gov.uk
Posted on Tuesday 19th March 2019