Liverpool businesses are being offered grants by the city council to support and encourage them to recruit new apprentices.

The Liverpool Apprenticeship Scheme business grant initiative is looking to create 100 extra apprenticeships across the city.

A one-off payment of up to £3,000 per recruit is being offered to support employers who take on new apprentices in their organisations for a minimum of a year. Businesses are expected to recruit Liverpool residents aged 16 plus.

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The scheme is being promoted by the city council and is supported by the National Apprenticeship Service, TUC's union learn and Liverpool Chamber of Commerce.

Councillor Nick Small, the council's cabinet member for Employment and Skills, said: "This is a key initiative in our commitment to increase the number of apprenticeships across the city.

"At a time when cuts in funding are being made across the board it is even more important that we support our young people in gaining the skills they need to obtain employment. We want to have a highly-skilled and motivated workforce ready to take advantage of any improvement in the economy in future years.

"I hope employers of all sizes will take this opportunity to use the support available and increase the number of apprentices in Liverpool."

(CD)