Nelson and Colne College Group is offering employers across Lancashire and the wider North West region an incentive payment if they hire an Apprentice before 31 January next year.

Any employer that hires a new young Apprentice aged 16-24 prior to that date will receive £2,000, while those that hire new Apprentices aged 25 and over will be paid £1,500.

It means that employers could receive up to £3,000 in total for hiring new 16-18-year-old Apprentices during the incentive scheme as the funding is in addition to the existing £1,000 incentive the Government already provides for new 16-18-year-old Apprentices, and those aged under-25 with an education, health and care plan.

These payments are offered by Nelson and Colne College Group’s Apprenticeship and Training arm – incorporating Nelson and Colne College and Accrington and Rossendale College – which is number one in Lancashire for employer satisfaction.

A shared benefit of Nelson and Colne College and Accrington and Rossendale College’s successful merger in 2018 is that both institutions share the status as number one in Lancashire for 16-18 Advanced Apprenticeships – where Apprentices complete their Apprenticeship within the designated time period.

Barbara Livesey, Nelson and Colne College Group’s Director for Apprenticeships and Training, said: “We understand that the pandemic has been an extremely challenging time for employers. We believe, now, more than ever, that Apprentices will play a vital role in the recovery of the local and national economy following the Covid-19 outbreak.

“This incentive to employers is a really a fantastic opportunity, and our team will make sure to work with employers to talent match an Apprentice to their business needs – advertising the vacancy and selecting and coaching the right candidate for the job.

“We support businesses across a wide range of sectors, with many reaping the rewards of Apprenticeships. Through Apprenticeships, employers gain highly-skilled and motivated employees who are able to deliver impact, and a return on investment against their current and future skills needs.”

Claims can now be made by employers in relation to Apprentices hired between 1 August 2020 and 31 January 2021, and these will need to be made through the Apprenticeship Service. Nelson and Colne College Group’s expert Apprenticeships and Training Team will be on hand to support employers with this process, ensuring that it is as smooth as possible.

Any employers who would like further information on the incentive can contact Nelson and Colne College Group’s Apprenticeship Team at apprenticeships@nelson.ac.uk or by calling 01282 440319.

To make a successful incentive claim, the hired Apprentice must be a new employee to the business, have a contract of employment start date between 1 August 2020 and 31 January 2021 (inclusive), and must not have been employed by the employer within the six months prior to the contract start date.

There will be no limit on the number of incentive payments that an employer can claim for Apprentices eligible to receive funding, provided each Apprentice meets the criteria above. The payment will be made directly to employers in two equal instalments, where the Apprentice is still in learning at day 90 and at day 365.

Nelson and Colne College Group offer a wide range of support of Apprenticeship and Training to employers, and can provide Apprenticeships in sectors including Business and Professional Services, Catering and Hospitality, Engineering, Construction Trades and Building Services, Education and Childcare, Health and Social Care, Hairdressing and Beauty, Motor Vehicle, Retail and Customer Service, and Sport and Leisure.

For more information, visit www.nelson.ac.uk/apprenticeships or call 01282 440319.