Local businesses offered apprenticeship funding of up to £3,500

Local employers can apply for up to £3,500 to take on a new apprentice, from a new grant scheme.

The Greater Manchester Apprenticeship Grant for Employers (GM AGE) is available to all businesses within Rochdale borough that employ fewer than 250 people and are taking on an apprentice aged 16-24 for the first time in the last 12 months.

Rochdale Council’s Apprenticeship Service can support employers to apply for the grant, which starts at £1,500 with an additional £1,000 awarded if they progress their young person from a traineeship to an apprenticeship and the same amount available again if they employ an advanced or higher (degree-level) apprenticeship.

Deputy Leader Councillor Peter Williams, Cabinet Member for Business, Skills and Employment, said: “Apprenticeship numbers in Rochdale, Middleton and Heywood have already increased at almost three times the Greater Manchester rate in the last year and this incentive will ensure more high quality job opportunities are available for our young people.

“This funding is part of Greater Manchester’s devolution strategy, which aims to create over 100,000 new jobs by 2023. Our businesses can apply for the grant up to three times from a total fund of £7.27million for this financial year and we strongly urge any company interested in taking on apprentices to take advantage of the additional money available.”

For more information about how to apply, contact apprenticeships@rochdale.gov.uk