LEP announces plans to ensure more businesses benefit from recruiting an apprentice

14 February 2019

The Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership has this week announced that it is widening the scope of its Apprenticeship Grant for Employers to ensure that more businesses can benefit. Businesses in West Yorkshire and York from all sectors and with up to 249 employees can now apply for a grant to recruit an apprentice.

This means businesses in Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds, Wakefield and York can apply for up to £2500 to help recruit their first apprentice aged, 19-24.

The LEP, working in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority is driving plans to increase the number of apprenticeships for people of all ages, available across Leeds City Region - offering people the opportunities to succeed and accelerating economic growth.

This programme is part of a wider package of support available through the LEP Growth Service, a single point of contact for businesses in the region that want to grow.

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Leader of Bradford Council, said:

“Providing apprenticeship opportunities is key to ensuring our young people have the chance to learn new skills and opportunities to progress into their chosen career.”

“Extending the grant to more employers will lead to more apprenticeship opportunities for young people and I very much welcome this. Businesses applying for the grant will also need to pay the apprentice the National Minimum Wage from the first day for their apprenticeship training.”

“This grant has been specifically developed to support 19-24 year olds, however it’s important to remember that apprenticeships are available for all ages. They can provide fantastic opportunities to retrain, enter new industries and start new exciting careers.”

Roger Marsh OBE, Chair of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP), said:

“It is great news that even more businesses can now apply for this grant to recruit an apprentice.”

“Businesses in the City Region have told us that recruiting an apprentice has many benefits, from being able to train staff in skills they need to futureproofing their business. And nationally, the latest figures released suggest that 83% of apprenticeship employers would recommend an apprentice to other businesses.”22recommend an apprentice to

“I encourage all businesses in West Yorkshire and York to get in touch and find out about this grant and the wide range of support available from the LEP and its wider network of partners”

Jon Plascott of Reliance Precision Limited who recruited an apprentice said:

“At Reliance Precision Limited we rely on our apprentices to develop our skilled workforce of the future ready for whatever technological developments the future may bring.”

“Recruiting and training apprentices allows us to teach the right things in the right way to the right people.”

The grant is on offer for businesses in Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds, Wakefield and York with up to 249 employees to recruit their first apprentice, aged 19-24. To find out more about this grant and the wider support available for growing businesses call the LEP Business Growth Service on 0113 348 1818, email age@the-lep.com or visit www.the-lep.com/age