SKILLS
SKILLS FOCUS
SPONSORED BY THE SOURCE SKILLS ACADEMY
BOUNCE BACK WITH APPRENTICES AND UP TO £4,000 OF GOV CASH, URGES THE SOURCE Companies preparing to Build Back Better after lockdown are being urged to turn to apprenticeships - and take advantage of up to £4,000 cash from the government to help with the cost. Any employers who hire a new apprentice from April 1-September 30 will receive £3,000, regardless of the apprentice’s age. The new, enhanced incentive was announced in the March 3 Budget. It is on top of the £1,000 payment already provided for new apprentices aged 16 to 18 and those under 25 with an Education, Health and Care Plan - meaning that some employers could receive £4,000 in total. The apprenticeship financial incentive was introduced in 2020’s Summer Budget. It gave firms £2,000 when taking on 16 to 24 year olds and £1,500 for the 25s and over. The new cash bonus changes the amount to £3,000 across the board. It is a significant boost to employers and also puts job-hunters of all ages on an equal footing, says The Source Skills Academy in Sheffield. “The Chancellor has
RICHARD WILLIS, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER AT THE SOURCE
effectively doubled the amount companies receive for taking on an older apprentice and gives them £500 more than previously for taking on under 24s,” said Richard Willis, business development manager at The Source, a widely-respected training provider with charity status.
“This could be a real gamechanger for small businesses who need to fill skills gaps as they re-start. It eases the financial risk of taking someone on in a time of uncertainty. £4,000 will pay almost half an apprentice’s wage.” The payment can be spent on any apprentice costs,
including your apprentice’s salary, and does not have to be paid back. It is accessed through the Digital Apprenticeship Account on the Gov.uk website, which The Source can provide support with. Contact apprenticeships@ thesourceacademy.co.uk
Richard’s team is helping companies regenerate Richard Willis brings 18 years of experience to managing The Source’s business development team. He spent five years at Sheffield College, enabling local construction firms to find the right apprentices, expanded his career during 10 years at Barnsley College and
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joined the Source in 2018. He is now leading the team as it gears up to help Sheffield City Region companies regenerate via apprenticeships and employee training “Throughout my career I’ve seen the value of apprenticeships - on
both learners and the companies who benefit from their enthusiasm and commitment,” said Richard. “Apprentices have an important role to play in the challenging times ahead as the region builds back after the pandemic. “In addition, we are helping
businesses access a range of fully-funded training and employment initiatives, such as the Kickstart programme. “These schemes complement each other and will help people and businesses of all backgrounds to regroup, expand and develop,”
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