The new Apprenticeship Challenge Fund is open now for applications, with awards of up to £50,000 to support innovative approaches to funding apprenticeships.
With youth unemployment rising sharply, the government has recently announced a series of incentives aimed at encouraging companies to take on apprentices. The Apprentice Recovery Package offers up to £3,700 per furloughed apprentice retained until they complete their apprenticeship, and the Apprenticeship Recruitment Incentive offers £3,000 for each new apprenticeship opportunity created.
Economy Minister Diane Dodds today announced the opening of the new Apprenticeship Challenge Fund, a competition that will fund innovative approaches to increasing apprenticeship opportunities across Northern Ireland. An award of up to £50,000 is available for single companies applying, or £100,000 for projects involving multiple partners collaborating.
Apprenticeships can be effective in any tech role in which specific domain knowledge can be learned on the job, and yet many tech firms don't employ any apprenticeship training at all. Existing training schemes and placement programmes have been disrupted by Covid-19, and new collaborations are needed to boost the number of apprenticeship places available.
The Minister commented on the announcement: "I am determined to do all I can develop an effective skills pipeline to support the needs of both employers and our economy while, at the same time, providing valuable employment for our young people. That is why I am pleased to announce the opening of the Apprenticeship Challenge Fund today. It will support innovative approaches and new collaborations to increase apprenticeship opportunities in Northern Ireland."
Applications to the scheme will close on October 23rd at 4PM. Head over to www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/challengefund for more information or to apply for the scheme.
Source: Written based on press release
