A new bursary has been made available to help encourage young people across Wychavon to enroll in an apprenticeship. Apprentices can apply for the new apprenticeship bursary to help them cover the costs of travel, clothing and tools or equipment.
Apprentices can claim the following, where applicable:
- Maximum of £50 per month for up to 6 months for travel expenses
- One-off grant payment with a maximum value of £75 for clothing
- One-off grant payment with a maximum value of £100 for tools or equipment
The aim of the bursaries is to encourage more young people to consider an apprenticeship as a viable choice for a career and to help them overcome cost barriers. More apprenticeship qualifications are being made available and some industries now offer degree level apprenticeships, which provide work experience while studying for a degree.
Cllr Richard Morris, Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth and Tourism, said: “We pride ourselves on helping people to take up an apprenticeship and we hope that these grants show people that apprenticeships are not just a secondary option to University.”
To be eligible for the bursary, apprentices must live in Wychavon, be aged between 16 and 24 years old and in receipt of an apprenticeship salary of £175 or less a week (this can be flexible depending on individual circumstances).
Wychavon District Council have also been given extra funding to help businesses with the cost of taking on an apprentice. The council have added a tiered funding system to the business apprentice grant scheme, starting at £1000 moving up to £2000 for the higher-level apprenticeship. Funding is available to award an apprenticeship grant depending, on the level of the apprenticeship being taken: (subject to qualifying criteria).
- £1,000 Intermediate apprentice – Level 2
- £1,500 Advanced apprentice – Level 3
- £2,000 Higher and Degree apprentice – Level 4 and above
- Low carbon sector applications will receive an extra £100 per grant.
All funding will be granted on a first come first serve basis. To apply for a bursary, or business grant please complete the application forms here and send them to Wychavon’s Skills Officer, Sue Owens, at Sue.Owens@wychavon.gov.uk.