Apprentices and employers to get extra cash payment

Councillor Richard Farnell

Apprentices are to get an extra cash payment of £1,000 from the Council.

Employers throughout the borough will also receive an additional grant of £1,000 for every new apprentice they take on in a bid to boost the number of youngsters taking up higher-level training in areas such as engineering, computers and IT.

The extra incentive is on top of a £1,500 Greater Manchester-wide grant already available to employers for taking on an apprentice, plus an existing £1,000 if the apprenticeship reaches Level 3, which is equivalent to A’ levels.

Council Leader Richard Farnell said: “Labour is working hard to bring new jobs to Rochdale, but we need young people with the right skills to fill them. We are keen for existing apprentices in the borough to continue on their learning journey. With this in mind we can announce our Apprenticeship Bonus - a financial incentive to employers and apprentices that encourages progression into Advanced or Higher Degree level apprenticeships and will retain and develop talent in the borough.

“The council is very keen to support growing businesses and being able to recruit the right skills is crucial. Despite the very challenging financial position of the council, I want to encourage employers to invest in our young people and if by providing this small incentive we can increase skill levels and earning potential then it is money well spent.”

If young people stay within an apprenticeship programme, moving on to a higher level, the council has pledged to give them an extra cash payment of £1,000, on top of a further £1,000 the council will give to the employer.

The apprentice must live in Rochdale but the employer and training provider can be based elsewhere.