A new government incentive to encourage businesses to take on apprentices. We promised we’d share updates as and when we heard more and so, hot on the heels of National Apprenticeship Week the government has announced:

AGE 16-24!

What is AGE 16-24?

AGE stands for Apprenticeship Grant for Employers.

With high levels of unemployment, especially in the 16 – 24 age bracket, the government is providing businesses with a grant of £1,500 to take a young person on as an apprentice to help them to gain experience in the workplace and to improve their job prospects. But it’s not only the students who benefit, as an employer you do too. There are 23 Apprenticeships available at the College.

For more information about Apprenticeships for employers click here or for students click here

Apprenticeships ensure that your workforce has the practical skills and qualifications your organisation needs now and in the future. The mix of on and off the job learning ensures apprentices learn the skills that work best for your business.

Did you know, 88% of employers who employ apprentices believe they lead to a more motivated and satisfied workforce and 59% report that apprenticeships are more cost effective than hiring skilled staff?

Who can apply for AGE?

If you employ less than 250 people and you haven’t employed an apprentice before or it has been 3 years since you employed an apprentice, then you can apply. Eligible employers can take up to 3 apprentices under this scheme. To qualify you must commit at the start of the agreement the total number of apprentices you wish to take.

When is this grant available?

AGE is available NOW. Eligible employers who employ a new apprentice from 1 Feb 2012 will be able to apply. We’re expecting demand to be high and as it’s on a first come first served basis, you’ll need to act quickly to take advantage of this incentive.

I want to know more. What do I do now?

It’s a very straightforward process and we will help you with the paperwork. Call Business Enterprise on 01202 205500 and any of the team will be happy to give you more information or come along and talk you through everything. But remember, AGE is for a limited time only and when it’s gone it’s gone.

Business Enterprise

Bournemouth and Poole College

North Road

Poole

BH14 0LS

01202 205500