New opportunities
Government funding to help businesses take on apprentices has led to the creation of at least 18,900 new apprenticeships in England in the past year, according to data released by the National Apprenticeship Service.
The data covers the nine month period since the apprenticeship grant for employers of 16 to 24 year olds (known as AGE 16 to 24) was launched in February 2012.
The scheme was introduced last year to help small and medium sized businesses with less than 1,000 employees take on an apprentice and secure the skills they need to grow. The £1,500 grant is available to employers who have never employed an apprentice before, or have not done so in the last 12 months. Initially only on offer during the 2012/13 financial year, it was announced in January that the funding has been extended until at least 31st December 2013.
David Way, head of the National Apprenticeship Service, said: "We are delighted AGE 16 to 24 has been so well received by businesses and that, as a result, it has created a wide range of new opportunities for young people."
