Local businesses to benefit from apprenticeship incentives

14th June 2021

For the recruitment and development of new apprentices, local businesses will now be able to claim additional funding following an announcement from the government earlier this year.

From the 1st of April 2021 to the 30th of September 2021, employers will receive £3,000 for hiring apprentices of all ages and an additional £1,000 for employing those aged 16-18, or 19-24 with an Education Health & Care Plan. Hiring an apprentice is a cost-effective way of attracting new people into an organisation and apprenticeships can also be used to aid progression and upskill current employees.

Solihull College & University Centre’s apprenticeship recruitment team has a wealth of industry knowledge and experience. The team work closely with employers to ensure that they recruit candidates of the very highest calibre. The College already works with over 300 employers and 700 apprentices, offering a wide array of programmes to suit industry needs.

The College offers apprenticeships in a wide range of subjects.

Students can carry out their off-the-job training at the College’s three specialist campuses, utilising industry-standard facilities, including the Greater Birmingham & Solihull Institute of Technology’s precision machining facility, as well as ‘Aspire’ hair salons, a state-of-the-art animal welfare centre, electric hybrid vehicle workshops and more.

The College will soon be launching a range of new apprenticeship programmes to add to its already extensive offer, including: Level 2 Property Maintenance Operative; Level 2 Community Activator Coach; Level 3 Laboratory Technician; Level 3 Junior Content Producer; Level 7 Senior People Professional and Level 7 Senior Leader. Further to this, a new ‘fast track’ option is available for those seeking to progress onto the Level 6 Chartered Management Degree apprenticeship, having previously completed a management qualification at Level 5.

Employer Services Manager at the College, Oliver Matthews, comments: “As we approach the end of the academic year and enter the traditional period for apprenticeship recruitment, we welcome the Chancellor’s decision to continue to offer employers increased financial incentives.

Not only is this a great initiative for individuals of all ages to progress and meet the region’s skills demand, but the limited extension will provide further support for organisations on the road to economic recovery. We are already seeing the benefit of the additional assistance and hope that the business community continue to maximise this opportunity.”

If you are an Employer looking to recruit an apprentice, please contact one of our Employer Services Team via apprenticeships@solihull.ac.uk or visit our ‘Employ an Apprentice’ page.

Find out more about the College's apprenticeships: Apprenticeships