Small and medium sized businesses based in the local authority postcode areas of Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds, Wakefield and York may be eligible for grant funding known as the ‘Apprenticeship Grant for Employers’ (or ‘LEP AGE’) when they recruit an apprentice.
A grant of £1,200 is available to businesses that meet core grant eligibility criteria, and a further £800 ‘top-up’ is available to businesses that offer additional incentives. The full list of eligibility criteria can be found below.
Grants are available for each apprentice recruited, up to a maximum of three apprentices per qualifying business. This means that depending on the level of grant sought and the number of apprentices recruited, businesses could receive up to £6,000 through this scheme. Grants will be offered on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.
Am I eligible?
Core grant:
A core grant of £1,200 is available to businesses that meet the following eligibility criteria:
If you have less than 250 employees
Have not taken on an apprentice before or in the last 12 months
Recruit an apprentice that is aged 16 – 24 years old
The offer applies for up to three apprentices who start on programme from 1 January to 31st July 2016. You will not have had an apprentice before or within the last 12 months (unless you have had an apprentice through the national AGE scheme).
Are you based in one of the following local authority areas?
Bradford
Calderdale
Kirklees
Leeds
Wakefield
York
How to apply
Grants will be paid directly to businesses, however training providers must start the application process on behalf of the eligible business by completing an online registration form.
Further details about the programme and the application process are on the LEP Skills Service website