Training costs and grants

Training costs and grants

There are numerous grant schemes offered by the Government (including Local Authorities) and charities. Solutions at Heart of Worcestershire College provide administration support for these as outlined below.

Worcestershire Construction Apprentice Academy

The grant aims to encourage apprentices into the construction trade. Thegrant is administered by a charity and awarded on a first come basis. If the application is successful the organisation will receive two £250.00 payments and a tool kit voucher which will be awarded to the apprentice.

To qualify for this grant the organisation and apprentice must meet the following criteria;

  • You define the role and wage (subject to minimum wage regulations)
  • We pre-screen and interview the candidates, shortlisting them for you.
  • You interview those candidates.
  • You employ the successful candidate as an Apprentice.
  • We help organise the associated government-funded training.
  • We help you apply for any additional grants where they are available.
  • You and the College work together to mentor and train the Apprentice, supporting you throughout the programme.

If you have recruited an apprentice but not received an application form and believe you are eligible please contact solutions@howcollege.ac.uk

Bromsgrove District Council & Redditch District Council

This grant aims to support employers in Bromsgrove and Redditch. All applicants for this grant must be made to the local authority; applications must be made before an apprentice is recruited.

Entitlement - £1500

Criteria

  • Any age apprentice
  • Priority sectors
    • Manufacturing
    • Digital, Creative and IT
    • Life and Health Sciences
    • Construction
    • Logistics, Leisure and Tourism
  • The Grant should be applied for prior to appointing the apprentice
  • Apprentice to also be living within the region
  • Priority is given to Levels 3 & 4

For further information regarding the application for this grant please visit www.worcsapprenticeships.org.uk

Wychavon Apprenticeship Grant

Entitlement –

 

  • £1,000 Intermediate apprentice - Level 2
  • £1,500 Advanced apprentice – Level 3
  • £2,000 Higher and Degree apprentice – Level 4 and above
  • Low carbon sector applications will receive an extra £100 per grant.

Employer Criteria

  • Engineering and Manufacturing
  • IT/Cyber
  • Agriculture Technologies and Horticulture (Agri-tech)
  • Low Carbon
  • Hospitality
  • Construction

 

  • The Employer is located in Wychavon district postcode area
  • The Employer employs less than 250
  • Must be providing an approved apprenticeship
  • Must pay at least the Minimum Wage for Apprentices, and is encouraged to uplift
  • The employer has not had an Apprentice within the previous 12 months (can be waived at the councils discretion)

 

Apprentice Criteria

  • Is aged 16 – 24 years
  • Not previously employed by the Employer

 

For further information regarding the application for this grant please visit www.worcsapprenticeships.org.uk

Worcester City Apprenticeship Grant Scheme

Worcester City Council is launching a new Apprenticeship grant programme to support small and medium size businesses looking to hire an apprentice. Businesses based in the Worcester City Council area can apply for a grant of £1,000 towards the cost of hiring an apprentice with a maximum of two grants available for any one business.

The grant scheme will priortise applications from businesses operation in one or more of the following key sectors;

  • Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering
  • Cyber Security/IT/Defence
  • Visitor and Destination Economy
  • Construction

Employer Criteria

  • The employer is located with the Worcester City postcode area.
  • The Employer employs less than 250 employees.
  • Must be providing an approved apprenticeship.
  • The employer has not has an Apprentices within the previous 12 months.
  • Must pay at least the Minimum Wage of Apprentices, and is encouraged to uplift.

For more information view the Worcester City apprenticeship grant scheme information sheet for Providers and Employers.

Malvern Hills District Council Apprenticeship Grant

Malvern Hills District Council operate a grant scheme to support local businesses to take on apprentices. The Council has joined forces with Worcestershire Training Provider Association to help local employers employ local residents and grow Apprenticeships within the district.

Businesses can receive up to £2,000 towards the cost of taking on an apprentice or trainee.

Businesses in any sector can apply and the money can be paid for all trainees, as long as they began training after 1 April 2021 and before 31 March 2022. You can claim up to two upskilling grants.

Eligibility -

  • be based in the Malvern Hills or Wychavon district postcode area
  • employ fewer than 250 people
  • pay at least the Minimum Wage to the trainee for a post of at least 20 hrs a week including training over a minimum of 3 months
  • provide for the trainee to gain a recognised qualification

Grants are paid on a first come first served basis and will last until the funding runs out so don’t miss out, apply now.

Grants are paid after the apprentice or trainee has completed 3 months of their course.

Don’t worry, applying doesn’t involve lots of paperwork but we will need you to provide the following information:

  • Confirmation from the training provider of the course and trainee’s enrolment.
  • Copy of a minimum 12 months signed employment contract
  • Signed Grant Agreement between employer and Malvern Hills District Council or Wychavon District Council
  • Any additional evidence requested by Malvern Hills District Council or Wychavon District Council