The chancellor Rishi Sunak has extended the deadline for employers to receive cash incentives for hiring new apprentices as well as his flagship Kickstart scheme as part of a £500 million jobs support package.
If you are an employer and you decide to take on a new apprentice before the end of January 2022, you will be able to claim a £3,000 incentive payment. If the apprentice you hire is aged 16-18, has been in the care of their local authority or has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) you will receive an additional £1,000. Employers can claim the funding for apprentices with an employment start date from 1 October 2021 to 31 January 2022 once applications open in January 2022.
Bonuses of £3,000 for every apprentice a business hires ended in September, but Sunak has prolonged the scheme by four months until the end of January. The bonus payment allows businesses to add to their workforce, find new talent and allow apprentices to kick start their career, no matter their age.
If you’re an employer new to hiring an apprentice? We can help!
- You can reserve funding to secure the cost of your apprentice’s training and equipment through the Government.
- Advertise your apprenticeship for free on the official Government website, which is used by thousands of registered candidates daily.
- Gain fresh ideas and new and innovative ways of working from the starters in the industry.
- Improved productivity within the team and loyalty across the workforce.
- The variety of apprenticeships that are now available means that employers can not only recruit, train and shape new employees at an intermediate level but they can also develop the skills of existing employees. Higher apprenticeships can be used to help upskill current employees through training right up to university-level qualifications.
How does an apprenticeship programme work?
An apprentice will learn while they work. This may take the form of a day release to a college or other centre of learning, or they could be based on your premises for five days a week, completing their studies at work; how the apprenticeship is designed is based on the needs of you and your apprentice.
You don’t need to employ a new member of staff in order to benefit from apprenticeships. Most employers choose to recruit new people as apprentices but you can place an existing member of staff on an apprenticeship if they have taken on additional responsibilities or moved to a new role. This can be an effective way of training members of staff who have been identified as having great potential and want to develop their skills further.
If you’re interested in taking on an apprentice call us on 0345 850 1055 or email info@learningunlimiteduk.com
Kickstart
Kickstart, which subsidises job placements for young people on universal credit, was due to end in December 2021 but will now be extended to March 2022.
Employers who require less than 30 Kickstart roles can apply directly to the Department for Work and Pensions for funding. This has opened the door for many smaller employers who may have been put off by the original stipulations for a minimum of 30 placements.
While this is positive news for many, it can be a time-consuming process to work through the details and adhere to government red tape.
With this in mind, The Chesterfield College Group is still offering employers support and guidance to help them benefit from Kickstart.
What is Kickstart?
- Funding covers roles up to 25 hours per week at National Minimum Wage, including NI contributions and auto enrolment pension costs.
- The roles are for those aged 16-24 who are currently unemployed.
- The job placements must be new roles – you can’t fill any existing posts or planned vacancies.
- You can’t create roles which will lead to other employees or contractors losing work or have their work reduced.
- The job placements must be 6 months long and be paid at least the National Minimum Wage.
- Any role created must not require extensive training prior to starting the role (although training during the placement is encouraged).
- Your application should focus on how you will help participants develop skills and experience (we can help you with this).
- You can access a £1,500 grant to cover costs such as additional training, wraparound costs, uniform, PPE and pre-employment checks.
- Any sector can apply for funding.
The Kickstart scheme offers unique opportunity to secure business growth during this difficult time. It can also offer an out-of-work 16-24 year old a chance to prove themselves, gain vital experience in industry and open the door to permanent employment. For employers, it provides the opportunity to source their next apprentice or permanent member of staff.
To find out more or for assistance with working through the Kickstart application process, please contact us at kickstartvacancies@chesterfield.ac.uk
Our experienced team are offering a training and wraparound service to Kickstart employees, designed to:
- Help your Kickstart employee/s integrate into your workforce quickly.
- Provide them with key skills and knowledge that every employee needs (teamworking, working safely, employability, effective communication, digital skills, English and Maths).
- Deliver additional training to help them improve their performance.
- Offer critical careers guidance to help them secure permanent employment or an apprenticeship once their Kickstart role has finished.
- Support you with providing evidence for use of funding for any auditing purposes.
- The cost of the wraparound service is just £500, which is covered through the £1,500 grant provided by Kickstart. This leaves you with £1,000 to cover any additional PPE or equipment costs.
We also offer a wide range of additional training courses. These can be selected based on the needs of your business and the Kickstart employee’s career development.