A scheme to help and encourage Hampshire businesses to take on apprentices has received an injection of cash from the County Council, in response to the number of applications received.

The authority's Apprenticeship Grants Scheme has been topped up with £50,000 from other budgets.

The cash boost was approved by Councillor Raymond Ellis, the council's Executive Member for Economic Development and Rural Affairs.

The Apprenticeship Grants Scheme was devised as one of four recession responses developed to support businesses to continue to take on apprentices at a time when economic pressures may have resulted in cutbacks in recruitment and training.

-- Advertisement --

A basic grant of up to £2,000 per apprentice was available to small businesses within Hampshire and an additional grant of up to £2,000 was available for any training not funded through the government. The grant was available to cover costs such as tools, uniforms, and insurance.

Since April 2010, 55 companies have been supported to take on 76 apprentices and a further 44 businesses have applied. This extra money will provide grants to support at least 25 more apprentices.

Councillor Raymond Ellis, said: "I am delighted to be able to give Hampshire businesses a chance to take on more young people as apprentices. The Apprenticeships give us the opportunity to 'grow our own' Hampshire talent and will give people an opening to gain valuable skills for the future and contribute to the local economy."

(CD/KMcA)