The government’s offer of up to £4,000 for each apprentice a company employs has been extended at least until the end of March 2022.

In addition, CITB is still paying training grants to cover travel and accommodation, as well as training fees, for the apprentices while they are at college if they have to travel and stay away.

Cash incentives for firms were introduced as part of the national Plan for Jobs initiative in July 2020. They are worth up to £3,000 on top of the £1,000 already available if you take on an apprentice aged 16-18, or under 25 if they have an education, health and care plan, or have been in the care of their local authority.

The payment can be spent on anything to support a company’s costs. It does NOT have to be repaid.

The incentives were originally available until September this year, but now the government has extended it so companies can continue to benefit into 2022. Applications for the cash open on 11 January 2022.

A Plan for Jobs progress report says more than 85,000 apprentices have been hired under the incentive payments scheme so far, with 75% of those taken on being under 25.

From 11 January you will be able to apply for the payment of £3,000 for apprentices that start with you any time from 1 October 2021 to 31 January 2022. You have to get the application in before 15 May 2022.

To apply for the payment you need to create an account on the Government’s dedicated Apprenticeships Portal (click here to go to that). Once your account is set up, you can make your claim.

You can read more about the offer on the Construction Leadership Council’s Talentview website here.

Skills Hub

The Skills Hub brings together details of courses specific to the finishes and interiors sector, making accessing and booking training quick and easy. In addition, it provides information on sector careers, apprenticeships and funding, as well as access to e-learning, CPD and other training.