Great Britain: 1,000 pounds for companies hiring trainees

On 27 January the UK announced it would provide a cash bonus of £1,000 (€1,130) to companies for every trainee they hire up to a maximum of ten trainees per establishment. This unprecedented offer is in place until 31 July and will also operate retroactively to include trainees hired since September 2020, the government said. Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak stated “My number one priority is to support, protect and create jobs, which is why for the first time ever we’re giving businesses £1,000 to cover the cost of trainee work experience, because we know that traineeships are a proven way to give young people the skills and opportunity, they need to be ready for work.” The government, which is also hoping that the bonus will help in training young people to equip them with the skills needed for the areas in high demand, stressed that a top quality internship was necessarily synonymous with investment (equipment provision, appropriate workspace, uniforms, support for transport costs…). He also stressed that the scheme was also a way to help young people in the midst of a coronavirus pandemic. “So I urge businesses to seize this opportunity and help us harness the talent of our young people and offer hope for the future,” solemnly launched the Chancellor.