Businesses urged to take on apprentices (From This Is Cheshire)

Businesses urged to take on apprentices

9:00am Wednesday 17th March 2010 in

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BUSINESSES in Warrington are being urged not to miss out on apprenticeship chances from the government’s Apprenticeship Grant for Employers (AGE).

The Apprenticeship Grant for Employers (AGE) offers businesses a £2,500 bonus for each 16 or 17 year old they employ as an apprentice.

Launched in January, the initiative is designed to help businesses hire a young person where otherwise they may have struggled. AGE will see an extra 5,000 16 and 17 year olds in an Apprenticeship by the end of March this year.

Sue Price, regional director at the National Apprenticeship Service believes that there has never been a better time for young people to consider an Apprenticeship and said: “Apprenticeships provide a great opportunity for young people to get their first step on to the career ladder and I would urge them to visit apprenticeships.org.uk to find out more.

“Through an apprenticeship, young people work towards a nationally recognised qualification whilst gaining valuable experience in the workplace and there are a lot of employers who are keen to benefit from having an enthusiastic apprentice on board.

“Last year saw a 7 per cent increase in apprentices, that’s 240,000 young people freshly into the jobs market, with the determination to succeed.”