A NEW Stormont-funded apprenticeship fund is now open for applications.
The £500,000 Apprenticeship Challenge Fund offers one-off awards of up to £50,000, potentially rising to £100,000 for bids involving multiple partners.
The Department for the Economy (DfE) said the fund aims to promote greater collaboration between employers and suppliers, and encourage them participate in the north’s apprenticeship system.
It follows a scheme announce earlier this month, which offers up to £3,700 per apprentice to employers who return an apprentice from furlough and retain them until they have completed their apprenticeship. DfE said that scheme won’t open until November.
Employers can also claim £3,000 for each new apprenticeship opportunity created between April 1 2020 and March 31 2021.
Economy Minister Diane Dodds said: “It will support innovative approaches and new collaborations to increase apprenticeship opportunities in Northern Ireland.”
“This is a unique opportunity to encourage the development of new, innovative apprenticeship models and pathways, and promote collaboration to increase employer confidence within the Northern Ireland apprenticeship system.”
The latest scheme will remain open for applications until October 23 2020.
