The criteria for the Apprenticeship Grant for Employers (AGE) has been widened to encourage more businesses to apply.

Grants of up to £2,500 are now available from the LEP for businesses with 249 or fewer employees to recruit an apprentice for the first time.

To qualify for the grant:

• The business must be based within the local authority areas of Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds, Wakefield or York.
• Apprentices must be 19-24 years of age and the apprenticeship must be following a recognised Apprenticeship Standard or Framework and be in any sector.
• The business must be paying the apprentice the National Minimum Wage from day 1 of their apprenticeship training

Hiring an apprentice is a great way to grow business, train staff in the skills that are needed, retain staff, and future proof businesses.

The LEP originally launched AGE in August 2018. It was relaunched with the new criteria on 13 February 2019, for apprentices starting their learning programme from 1 February 2019.

Further information and how to apply

Businesses can check their eligibility and then fill in the online application form if they meet the grant criteria via LEP’s website.

For further information call the Growth Service on 0113 348 1818 or email age@the-lep.com