The National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) has introduced a new £2,500 grant that will enable employers to offer 5,000 new apprenticeship places and take on an unemployed 16-17 year old apprenticeship immediately. The grant scheme, called AGE 16-17, is specifically targeting those employers who are not in a position to recruit an apprentice now. "We particularly want to support small and medium sized employers who are interested in employing an apprentice for the first time, or who want to employ an additional apprentice over their traditional level of recruitment," sad an NAS spokesman. Employers will receive the grant in two payments - £1500 when the young person starts, and a further £1000 after 12 weeks. All 16-17 year olds who are not in employment or already on an apprenticeship programme are eligible.
