Last year, despite tough labour conditions, over 70,000 16-17 year olds started an Apprenticeship. But we also know there are still many more young people who want to learn whilst they are in work.

In response to this the National Apprenticeship Service are introducing Age 16 and 17 payments of £2,500 to enable employers to offer new Apprenticeship job opportunities and take on an unemployed 16 or 17 year old apprentices immediately. The £2,500 grant is in addition to the cost of training which is already met by the National Apprenticeship Service. 

The National Aprrenticeship Service want to support employers, particularly 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. Support through Age 16 and 17 is available now. It is a short-term (available until the end of March 2010) measure and is available immediately for employers who are able to offer a job opportunity to an unemployed young person.

An Employer Fact Sheet is attached here. If you would like further details please contact the National Apprenticeship Service on 08000 150600 or visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk

This development builds on the good work already undertaken to develop the Hanlon Skills Register System with work completed over the last three years aligning activities and developing a common data framework. This has enabled more effective use of the system and performance reporting at a City Region, sub-region and local level.

For further information on the Provider Portal or the Hanlon Data Management System please contact Jonah Morris on 0191 6436060.  

The Tyne and Wear City Region has been successful in obtaining £10.4m of funding to create 1610 jobs between October 2009 and March 2010.

For further information on the Future Jobs Fund go to www.dwp.gov.uk.

The campaign also signposts the help available to employers and individuals to access training and development opportunities, apprenticeships and support those who have lost their jobs getting back into work

Further details can be found on http://www.realhelpnortheast.co.uk/ 

That’s why One North East, Jobcentre Plus, Learning and Skills Council and Business Link are working together to ensure that firms and individuals understand who to talk to about getting support and funding.

These key agencies have joined forces to get a clear message of support out across the region and will be giving regular updates on new products and services.

There are three key contact numbers for anyone wanting information, advice or assistance. These are:

For businesses wanting advice and to understand what help and support is available including free business health checks, online business support and access to appropriate finance,

Call Business Link on 0845 600 9006 or visit www.businesslink.gov.uk/northeast 

For people who are in work, but may be at risk of, or worried about possible redundancy, for free confidential face to face advice on changing jobs and updating skills,

Call Next Steps on 0800 027 7944 or visit www.nextstepnortheast.org.uk 

For those who have been made redundant or who are out of work, for free confidential support to get back to work quickly, update skills and help with job search,

Call Jobcentre Plus on 0845 606 0234 or visit www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk

For more information and for regular updates on behalf of the partner agencies working in the North East, please contact the One North East press office on: 0191 229 6200