Earlier this year we gave financial backing to help 200 small businesses employing less than 50 people across the county take on an apprentice for the first time in our Derbyshire Apprenticeship Grant for Employers (AGE) scheme.
The drive was a huge success with every placement filled within six months − providing young people from each of the county's eight districts and boroughs with a career start in a range of occupations including business administration, health and social care, and mechanical engineering.
And our vision was showcased as an example of best practice for others to follow at the National Apprenticeship Conference earlier this year, where Councillor Kevin Parkinson, Cabinet Member for Regeneration presented, ‘putting theory into practice’, which other councils and sector skills training providers praised our administrations leadership for supporting our Young People and small businesses.
Today (27 November) our cabinet agreed to extend the scheme by pledging £330,000 to support Derbyshire businesses employing upto 1000 employees to create a further 300 apprenticeships which we will extend to 16-24 year olds by the end of March 2013. It means a total of 500 private sector apprenticeships will have been created.
Councillor Kevin Parkinson, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said:
"Our Derbyshire Age Grants for Employers scheme has been a huge success and is providing support for employers and young people in every single district of Derbyshire.
"Starting my career as an Apprentice Engineer, I am delighted to announce the extension of the scheme, meaning another 300 young people will be given the opportunity to start out in a new career and develop skills our businesses recognise as adding value to their workforce.
"Small businesses play a vital role in the Derbyshire economy and Conservatives are committed to supporting them to develop, grow and help our communities thrive."
We've joined forces with the National Apprenticeship Service to extend our Derbyshire County Council AGE Grant Scheme, who have given us more funding support helping us deliver 1000 Derbyshire Apprenticeships which is good value for Council Tax payers.
It means grants of £2,500 will continue to be available for employers to take on an apprentice, subject to meeting the scheme's criteria.
Initially I want this extension of our scheme to continue to target businesses employing 16-18 year old apprentices, but can be extended to 19-24 year olds where appropriate.
It will also keep targeting businesses employing less than 50 employees, as our economy is mainly made up of micro businesses but again we will be flexible and extend to businesses employing up to 250 and 1000 staff, to increase the range and quality learning and work experience opportunities’ for our Young People.
Councillor Parkinson added:
"It is the ability to design flexible local schemes which won us national acclaim − responding to employers' needs rather than centralised regimes which are often inflexible to engage."
The Derbyshire AGE Grant scheme is running alongside our drive to create 500 apprenticeships in our own workforce over four years as part of our succession planning and aging workforce. Over 100 have already begun placements with the County Council during the first year.
Businesses will be able to apply for funding through the Derbyshire AGE Grants scheme from January 2013, and I would encourage all employers to get behind our Young People and create an opportunity for them to start a bright and successful professional journey.
Further information National Apprenticeship Service Small Business Unit on 08000 150 600