South Swindon MP Robert Buckland is calling for employers of all sizes in Swindon to apply for generous government cash incentives to help them take on new apprentices and get more people into work.
Apprenticeships are a great way to get ahead in a wide range of exciting industries and they will also play a vital role in delivering the skills employers and the economy need to recover after the coronavirus outbreak.
As part of the government’s Plan for Jobs, employers are being offered £2,000 for each new apprentice they hire aged under 25 and £1,500 for each newly-recruited apprentice aged 25 and over.
This includes taking on an apprentice who has been made redundant.
The cash boost is designed to support employers to cover the cost of recruiting an apprentice such as providing facilities or uniforms, helping with travel costs or helping to pay their salary.
Employers who want to take advantage of the offer can apply through the government’s award-winning digital apprenticeship service.
Robert Buckland MP Said:
“Since becoming MP for South Swindon in 2010, 10,070 people in the town have started an apprenticeship and pre-Covid, youth unemployment, which is traditionally the hardest area to tackle, was down by 61.3 per cent.
“We all knew when we went into lockdown, that there would be huge economic cost, but I am confident that we can rebuild our country through the Prime Minister’s New Deal for Britain.”
“I am calling on companies in the town to take advantage of the new incentives offered to employers who take on apprentices.”
“Apprenticeships give young people the skills they need to succeed in life, in a role they want to make progress in. They give employers the opportunity to mould and shape the workforce and deliver skills with real value in the jobs market.”
Gillian Keegan, Minister for Apprenticeships and Skills, said: “We recognise the huge impact coronavirus has had on individuals and businesses up and down the country.
“Through our Plan for Jobs we have taken unprecedented steps to protect, support and create jobs, including driving more high-quality apprenticeship opportunities to help get our economy moving.
“To support this, from today, employers can sign up to receive £2,000 for each new apprentice they take on aged under 25 and £1,500 for those aged 25 and over.
“This offer will help more employers large and small to invest in the skilled workforce they need to help them recover and grow.
“I strongly encourage as many employers as possible to apply now and take advantage of this generous offer, whether it is used to recruit apprentices for the first time or expand their current apprenticeship offer.”
Rishi Sunak, Chancellor of the Exchequer, said: “Apprenticeships play a crucial role in developing the skills people need, particularly young people, as they seek work in these challenging times.
“I urge every employer, big or small, national or local, to sign up to our offer and support apprentices as we continue our economic recovery.
“Our Plan for Jobs will create, support and protect jobs across all regions of the UK and ensure our economy is fit for the future.”
This new cash incentive for employers is on top of the existing £1,000 payment for new 16 to 18-year-old apprentices, and those aged under 25 with an Education, Health and Care Plan.
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NOTES
To support people, particularly young people, affected by Covid-19 the government has also announced a range of support, including:
A £111million boost to triple the number of traineeships available across England – the largest-ever expansion of traineeships – to help make sure more 16 to 24-year-olds have the skills, experience and confidence they need to enter the world of work.
A new £2billion Kick-start Scheme to create hundreds of thousands of new, fully-subsidised jobs for young people across the country.
A £17million investment to increase participation in sector-based work academies, to upskill job seekers to fill locally identified vacancies.
A Job Retention Bonus – a one-off payment of £1,000 to UK employers for every furloughed employee who remains continuously employed through to the end of January 2021.
£111million to support school and college leavers at risk of becoming unemployed to do a fully-funded optional extra year of study.
The government is also providing a new online and telephone support service for apprentices who have lost their jobs during the Covid-19 outbreak. The Redundancy Support Service for Apprentices (ReSSA) ensures apprentices can access services that can provide financial, legal, health and wellbeing support and help them get back on track and on the path to a new career.
