How to claim the Apprentice Incentives

As part of the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s recovery plans, there are additional incentives available for businesses taking on a new apprentice. The employment contract start date must be between 1 August 2020 and 31 January 2021 and the Apprentice must not have been employed by the employer within the six months prior to the contract start date. 

Grants under this scheme are:

£ 2,000 for apprentices age 16 to 24 age group

£ 1,500 for apprentices aged 25+

To claim these grants your business must be registered on the Digital Apprenticeship Service. Payments will be made through this system in 2 installments – approx. 4th and 14th month of an apprentice been on the programme.

Claims can start to be made by employers in relation to these apprentices from 1 September 2020.

There will be no limit on the number of incentive payments that an employer can claim for apprentices eligible to receive funding, provided each apprentice meets the criteria, (including being a new employee).

It is also worth noting that, when employers take a 16-18-year-old on an apprenticeship, or someone aged 19-24 who have previously been in care or who have a Local Authority Education Health and Care plan, they will still receive £1,000 to help meet the extra costs associated with this.

CITB Apprenticeship grants are also available in addition as follows:

Attendance - per annum £2,500

Achievement - £3,500

New Apprentice support grant (for small businesses) - £500