Grants

As an employer there are a number of grants that are available to help with the cost of taking on and training staff. If you have new staff aged between 16 and 24 years of age it is likely that their training is funded by the government, for example the Apprenticeship programme. The grants mentioned on this page are in addition to this funding that is available.

The Apprenticeship Grant for Employers (AGE 16-24 Grant)

This grant aims to support businesses that would otherwise not be in a position to recruit staff aged between 16-24 years of age into employment through the Apprenticeship programme. The National Apprenticeship Service will provide AGE 16-24 to eligible employers, in respect of qualifying apprentices, with a grant of £1,500 per individual. An employer can be paid ten grants during the lifetime of this initiative. This initiative is focused on employers that hire less than 1,000 employees, that are new to Apprenticeships or haven’t enrolled a new recruit or existing employee onto an Apprenticeship programme in the last 12 months.

The £1,500 is there to help the employer meet the costs of recruiting and training the apprentice, minimising the financial risk that business faces and helping to increase the employment opportunities that are available to young people.

Who is eligible?

Your organisation must employ less than 1,000 staff in the UK
Unable to recruit the apprentice without the assistance from the Grant
Not have any individuals within your organisation completing an apprenticeship, or have completed an apprenticeship within 12 months.
Commit to employ the apprentice(s) for a minimum of 12 months, or the time it takes for them to complete their Apprenticeship, whichever is the greater.
Confirm you are aware and do not breach any State Aid rules through receiving the Grant.
Agree to pay the apprentice in line with the legal minimum requirements or more ( current Apprentice minimum wage is £2.68 per hour)

What if I am eligible?

As a business you can claim for up to 10 grants while the initiative is running.
You don’t have to wait 12 months between the first and later applications.
Only one Grant will be paid to you for one individual apprentice.

Which Apprentices qualify?

New staff that have begun full time employment (working 30-40 hours a week).
All contracted staff, it does not include self employed learners.
Individuals aged between 16 and 24 on their start date.
Individuals enrolled on an SFA recognised Apprenticeship Programme.
Those that are residents of the UK and not in full time education.
Existing employees—where the Grant provides the ability for an existing part time employee that is aged between 16 and 24 to become a new full time apprentice.

How does an employer apply for the Grant?

As a training provider for an SFA approved training organisation we are able to submit a grant application on your behalf. To apply for the grant you will need to complete and sign an AGE 16-24 Employer Agreement with Everyday Training before the apprentice starts with you.

When is it paid?

The payment will be paid once the apprentice has completed the first 13 weeks of their ‘in-learning’, this is based on the start date as recorded by Everyday Training in the apprentices Individual Learning Record. The SFA will then transfer the funds to Everyday Training up to 9 weeks after this, and we will then make arrangements with you to pay the grant within 30 days from this point.

NB: The Grant is VAT exempt so your business will fully benefit.

Local Grants

Many towns and cities have their own incentives and grant schemes in place to encourage employers to invest in skills and therefore reduce the unemployment rate within their areas. In many situations you can apply for these in addition to the AGE 16-24 Grant. However if you draw down funding to employ someone through the Work Programme you will not be able to also claim the AGE 16-24 Grant for the same person.

Check out Local Authority Websites for more information.