Great Britain: further support available for employers hiring apprentices

In line with the March 2021 budget presentation, (c.f. article No. 12393), the UK government will be temporarily increasing the aid for companies hiring apprentices. On 01 June, the government announced that employers will now be able to receive £3,000 (€3,476) for each apprentice hired, irrespective of the student’s age and the money can be used as the employer sees fit. The measure is to be backdated and effectively run fro apprentices hired from 01 April until 30 September. Note that since 01 August 2020, companies have been benefiting from aid for hiring an apprentice, although this was limited to £2,000 (€2,317) for an apprentice under 25 years of age and £1,500 (€1,738) for an apprentice over 25 years of age. “By boosting the cash incentives for our apprenticeship scheme we’re improving opportunities for young people to stay in and find work – this could not be more important in our economy’s recovery,” Chancellor Rishi Sunak stated. The grant can be combined with another support measure that allows employers to receive £1,000 (€1,158) if they take on an apprentice aged between 16 and 18, or those under 25 with special needs and following an adapted ‘education, health and care (EHC)’ plan or a local authority plan.