Apprentices can support your plans for the future.

To help support employers who hire an apprentice, additional incentive payments for taking on an apprentice have been extended to 31 March 2021. This includes hiring redundant apprentices.

George Swann, FIS Skills and Training Lead said: “This is great news for all finishes and interiors organisations with the capacity to take on an apprentice, but have been restricted by the current lockdown.  If you have not given any thought to employing an apprentice and feel you have capacity it is well worth considering as these incentive payments enhance the benefits of adding an apprentice or two to your workforce”.

Some of the benefits of hiring a redundant apprentice include:

  • a quick return on investment as you’ll have a work-ready apprentice who already has relevant skills and experience
  • finding the right skills you need to boost your organisation
  • supporting an enthusiastic apprentice who has lost their job with a new opportunity

FIS produced guidance explaining the apprentice incentives and how they are accessed. Full details here.

There is also a document ‘Apprentices – Guidance for Employers’ https://www.thefis.org/skills-hub/apprenticeships/ which has information to help you recruit an apprentice and access all the funding your organisation may be eligible for.

Following this announcement the ESFA Apprenticeship Agreement for Employers has been updated.

The latest version of the agreement will be available for employers to accept through their apprenticeship service account from 1 Feb 2021. Employers will need to accept the latest agreement if they wish to apply for incentive payments for apprentices who start their apprenticeship between 1 Feb 2021 and 31 March 2021, where they are eligible to do so.