Businesses will be able to bid for a slice of a £250m funding pot to take on apprentices – the Government's answer to soaring youth unemployment, under plans to be unveiled by David Cameron today.
After grim youth unemployment figures on Wednesday revealed the number of under 25s out of work has smashed the 1m barrier for the first time since 1986, the Government is keen to show it is "doing all it can" to tackle joblessness.
Today the Prime Minister will be announcing that businesses will be able to bid for cash to run apprenticeship schemes and cut the number of young jobless. Under the plans, companies will get the power to design, develop and buy the vocational training programme that most suits their needs, Mr Cameron will say.
From next year, employers will be invited to bid for a share of £50m, rising to £200m in the second year subject to evidence of high-quality schemes being run by business.
The money will be diverted from colleges and other training providers and given directly to firms whose bosses successfully apply for grants by showing how their staff and potential employees will benefit.
The proposal was mooted by manufacturers' body the EEF on Tuesday as a way of overhauling the bureaucratic apprenticeship system, often seen as not giving employers enough control to businesses looking to train their staff.
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If your require any help with pursuing the employment of Apprentice(s) and in securing the grant, please contact Sinead Cassidy, Warwickshire College at scassidy@warkscol.ac.uk
(Article taken from The Telegraph - www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/jobs/8895013/Businesses-to-bid-for-250m-apprenticeship-funding.html)
