New apprenticeship funding will give more support to poorer applicants

The government has set out how apprenticeships will be funded, with more support for 16 to 18 year-olds and those from disadvantaged areas.

The government wants the apprenticeship scheme to help millions get the skills they need for a successful career and believes apprenticeships gives people more control over their lives.

The government wants to give everyone this opportunity, regardless of their background or where they live.

All of training costs will be paid by government for employers with fewer than 50 employees who take on apprentices aged 16 to 18 years old. This will also apply to smaller employers who take on 19- to 24-year-olds who were in care or 19- to 24-year-olds with an education and health care plan.

Employers and training providers who take on 16- to 18-year-olds and 19- to 24-year-olds who were in care or who have an education and health care plan will get £1,000.

What’s more, providers that train 16- to 18-year-olds on apprenticeship frameworks will be given an additional cash payment equal to 20% of the funding band maximum in order to help them to adapt to the new, simpler funding model.

Providers that train apprentices from the most deprived areas on apprenticeship frameworks will continue to receive additional funding from government. More than £60 million will be invested in supporting the training of apprentices from the poorest areas in the country, equalling around one third of all apprentices. The government will conduct a fuller review into how to support individuals from all backgrounds into apprenticeships in future.

There will also be more funding for STEM apprenticeship frameworks and higher pricing of apprenticeship standards to support improved quality, and providing greater flexibility to train those with prior qualifications. This will support the industrial strategy and provide wider opportunities for more individuals to develop new skills.