Richmondshire area apprenticeship wage subsidy scheme 2019-23
The Richmondshire apprenticeship wage subsidy scheme will help small businesses in the Richmondshire area take on apprentices either for the first time or in an additional new post.
The apprenticeship wage subsidy scheme will support small businesses in the Richmondshire area with a one-off grant of £2,000 for Level 1 – 3 apprenticeships and £3,000 for Level 4 plus apprenticeships. The grant will help businesses to create a new opportunity for a person of any age, who lives in the Richmondshire area, to become an apprentice.
How will the grant work?
The business must commit to taking on a new or additional apprentice who resides in Richmondshire in paid employment for the duration of their formal training and will pay at least the national minimum wage for apprentices. In return North Yorkshire Council will pay the business a one-off grant of £2,000 for apprenticeships of Level 1 - 3 and £3,000 for apprenticeships of Level 4 plus.
The first 50% will be paid four weeks after the apprentice’s employment and training has started . The second 50% will be paid after the apprentice has completed week 12 of their apprenticeship.
Businesses will be required to confirm the apprentice has begun their course by providing confirmation from their training provider and completing the placement form which will be provided if successful.
Priority will be given to businesses who have not yet had a grant through either this scheme or the previous Apprenticeship Support Scheme. Grants will be offered for a period of three months. If an apprentice has not been employed within three months of a grant offer, the offer will be withdrawn. Priority will also be given to businesses looking to appoint an apprentice aged 16-24 years old.
We also will need a job description for the apprentice role. This information will help us decide whether or not the National Apprenticeship Scheme will be able to find you suitable applicants and match the opportunity to an appropriate training provider.
How much will the apprentice be paid?
The current national minimum wage rate for apprentices must be paid to all apprentices who are under 19 or in the first year of their apprenticeship (including off the job training time). Individuals who do not fall into either of these categories should be paid the National Minimum Wage rate for their age band. The latest National Minimum Wage rates can be found on the Government's website on the National Minimum Wage Rate page .
Employment must be for at least 30 hours per week, except in the minority of circumstances where the learner cannot complete the full 30 hours. All apprentices must have a
contract of employment just like other employees.
How long will the apprenticeship last?
Apprenticeships last for a minimum of 12 months. The duration of an apprenticeship depends on the framework being followed and the ability of the individual apprentice. An apprenticeship can take between one and four years depending on the level and type. As a guide an intermediate apprenticeship usually takes around 12 months and an advanced apprenticeship around 24 months.
What happens if an apprentice leaves?
If the apprentice leaves between weeks one and 12, North Yorkshire Council will recover £500 (Level 1-3) or £750 (Level 4+) of the grant and no second instalment will be paid. If the business employer terminates the apprentice’s contract or if the apprentice resigns between weeks 13 and 22, the employer will refund North Yorkshire Council all of the second payment of £1,000 for Level 1-3 apprenticeships or £1,500 for Level 4 plus apprenticeships.
Businesses must meet all the criteria:
- Employ less than 50 people, with priority given to businesses with less than 20 people
- Be based within the Richmondshire area
- Have an annual turnover of under £50 million
- Have been trading for at least three months
- Be willing to only employ someone from the Richmondshire area
- Be able to pay the minimum wage per hour
- Be committed to employing an apprentice for the duration of their training and in conjunction with a suitable learning provider
- Have a trading address in the Richmondshire area
Whilst existing employees embarking on an apprenticeship will be considered, retrospective applications will not be considered. Therefore it is important that the apprenticeship training does not begin before a decision is reached, as this will result in the grant offer being withdrawn.
Please note that the apprenticeship training should not commence before an offer letter is issued.
Use this form to:
- Apply for Apprenticeship wage subsidy scheme grant
What happens next?
After the application deadline, applications will be reviewed by the Business and Community team. You should receive a decision outcome two weeks after the application deadline.
Once a decision on your application has been made, you will be notified by email whether it has been successful or denied.
What you'll need to provide?
- Contact details of the individual completing the application
- Business details
- Apprenticeships details
Your privacy
The information you provide on this application form will be used to facilitate your application for the Apprenticeship wage subsidy scheme grant. The information will only be disclosed to individuals who require it to complete your request. Please be aware that your information may be passed to the council's Counter Fraud Service and/or the Police if we suspect any fraudulent activity. For more information about how we use your personal data please see the Council’s Privacy Notice on our website.
