£2,000 incentive for employers to take on apprentices

Businesses looking to take on apprentices will be able to take advantage of an extra £2,000 on offer to help teenagers, care leavers and those with special education needs into work.

Employers in England will soon benefit from the plans, which will see small businesses subsidised with 90% of the costs of providing the apprenticeships.

Apprenticeships plan

The new move is part of the Government's overall £2.5 billion apprenticeships plan, which is aimed at giving people of all ages the chance to learn high-quality skills and gain worthwhile experience.

The Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP) said that the plans would help to guarantee that every young person can take their first steps into the world of work, regardless of where they come from or their ability. Traditionally, apprenticeships have allowed employers to take on young people at a lower cost and so help boost overall employment.

The plans will also offer employers more flexibility when it comes to retraining existing employees with new skills. Employers will also gain more control and access to a higher quality of training under the plans, which will see apprenticeships divided into 15 different pay bands ranging from £1,500 to £27,000.

A nice sweetener

Manufacturers organisation EEF said: "Recruiting young people can sometimes be seen as a little riskier so today's announcement is a nice sweetener and will act as an added incentive."

TUC General Secretary Frances O'Grady commented: "After the vote to leave the EU, it is vitally important that we make a serious investment in skills."