The Tees Valley Combined Authority in the north of England is set to see a major uptick in the creation of apprenticeships after it announced it had received devolved funding to deliver a grant scheme aimed at helping small businesses take on young workers.
Bosses say the drive has the potential to create up to 700 apprenticeships. They added the project, known as The Apprenticeship Grant for Employers 16-24 scheme, will provide finance up to £3,500 for companies to recruit people aged between 16 and 24-years-old.
However, the programme is only available to those working to approved apprenticeship frameworks and is designed for businesses that would otherwise not have been able to employ an apprentice.
Councillor Christopher Akers-Belcher, who leads on skills at the Tees Valley Combined Authority, said the body will manage applications and process payments. He said: “The devolving of the grant will create significant opportunities for our smaller employers. We can be more flexible with the features of a local scheme to make it available to as many businesses as possible.
“It will create more quality apprenticeships for young people and provide employment and learning opportunities.”
