Other News: £3,000 for Lancashire employers who employ an apprentice

4th December 24

Lancashire County Council announced funding at the beginning of November to incentivise small and medium employers in Lancashire to recruit young apprentices.

There are 100 incentive payments of £3,000 to Lancashire employers who recruit, and employ, an apprentice under twenty-five years old before 30th September 2025.

The number of apprenticeship starts for this age category has been falling since 2018. Consequently, this incentive aims to:

• Stimulate employers to recruit young people into their workplace.

• Address systemic skills gaps that have been amplified by an ageing workforce and the rising numbers classed as economically inactive.

• Show young people there are thriving industries and employers that are offering them great opportunities to forge their careers in Lancashire.

This incentive payment of £3,000 is paid in two equal instalments to the employer. To be eligible for the incentive payment.

1. No apprentice must have been recruited in the two years preceding this application

2. The business (including its parent/holding company/ies and subsidiaries) does not employ more than 249 people or has revenues greater than £50 million.

3. The business has premises in Lancashire County Council’s jurisdiction where the apprentice will be based. This excludes the unitary authorities of Blackpool and Blackburn with Darwen.

4. No recruitment for this apprenticeship has taken place before this application.

5. Funding, per Section 36 of the Subsidy Control Act 2022, has not exceeded £312,000 over a rolling three-year financial period (including the current one).

The award of the incentive is dependent upon a commitment to Advertise the vacancy on www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk. The first instalment will be released upon verification from the training provider that the apprentice has been enrolled.

The second instalment will not be released until:

• We have validated that the apprentice is still in employment and receiving training.

• Suitable content to help publicise and promote the recruitment of apprentices has been provided.

Up to three incentives can be applied per employer, but all apprentices need to start within a six-week period (from the start of employment of the first apprentice).

This is an incentive and employers who have already started recruitment or employed the apprentice will not be eligible.

To register employers can visit https://forms.office.com/e/hS3CBjEBsL