COUNCIL chiefs have launched a new grant scheme to help local firms meet the cost of hiring more apprentices.
The grant is open to any businesses in the Cyber Security, ICT, Defence, Engineering, Advanced Manufacturing, Visitor and Destination Economy and Construction sectors.
Firms can claim £1,000 when they take on a 16 to 24-year-old Worcester resident as their new apprentice and the grant is available at all entry levels, including Higher Level Apprenticeships.
Coun Geoff Williams, cabinet member for Economic Prosperity at Worcester City Council, said: “Businesses often tell us that finding and retaining young people with the right skills is a barrier to growth, but don’t always recognise that apprenticeships are a cost-effective way to train and retain their future workforce.
“Our grant will encourage businesses to take another look at the benefits of recruiting apprentices.”
Titania, a Worcester based cyber-security firm, has taken on eight apprentices since the business launched in 2009 and the firm’s CEO Ian Whiting welcomed the grant scheme.
“The ‘cyber security skills gap’ has made headlines recently, and it’s true that recruitment in our industry is very difficult. Being provided with enthusiastic, capable young people, who have already been vetted and qualified by apprenticeship providers, is a massive help,” he added.
“This means that we have really strong candidates who we can train to grow alongside the company and develop a career with us.”
Visit www.worcsapprenticeships.org.uk for more information on eligibility for the Worcester Apprenticeship Grant Scheme.
