County Council to provide £300,000 to incentivise further apprenticeships

Lancashire County Council has unveiled plans to put £300,000 into funding 100 more apprenticeship incentives for employers.

The council’s innovative Young Apprenticeship Grant scheme was introduced in 2022 and has already led to no less than 126 young people getting off to a flying start.

Offered to small and medium employers in Lancashire to encourage the recruitment or upskilling of existing younger staff through apprenticeships, the ground-breaking scheme is funded by the local authority and has supported 94 organisations across the county.

The apprenticeships have covered sectors ranging from aerospace to hair and beauty, catering and hospitality, manufacturing, digital and technology and green skills, with 103 of them delivered by Lancashire colleges and providers.

At a celebratory event attended by employers, young people, the Lancashire Skills and Employment Hub, the Department for Education and councillors at Strawberry Fields Digital Hub in Chorley this week, the County Council announced further funding of £300,000 for additional apprenticeship incentives.

Among the employers to have benefited so far is isentra, a manufacturer of CO2 commercial and industrial refrigeration and heat pump plant machinery for the commercial and industrial sectors.

Developing cutting-edge, sustainable products for the future, the forward-thinking company took on two apprentices thanks to the scheme, including a Chartered Manager Degree Apprentice and a Level 3 Refrigeration Air Conditioning and Heat Pump Engineering Technician.

Apprentice Oliver Barrow, 20, did a BTEC Extended Diploma in science at Cardinal Newman College before starting the Level 3 engineering apprenticeship with the company last year. The company used the grant to purchase Oliver's tools and training that complement his apprenticeship.

Oliver said: “I’m enjoying having my own set of tools. It was nice at the start of my apprenticeship, as all the other engineers that work there have their own tools. I went travelling after college, and then I started to look for something and found out about this apprenticeship.”

Stephen Allen, Operations Director for isentra, said: “With the support that’s been offered by Lancashire County Council, we wanted to give it a go.

"It’s really important for us to have young people coming into our industry, especially  as our sector continues to grow with the net zero agenda. It’s been a great experience, and we will definitely be looking to take on one of two apprentices a year, in a variety of roles.”

Another Lancashire-based company to take part is Redthorn, specialists in developing software solutions and business consultancy services in sectors including aerospace, defence, energy, and advanced engineering.

The company took on Joseph Bridges, 19, a former Runshaw College student, via a Level 4 Application Support Apprenticeship, thanks to the grant scheme.

Joseph, who is just going into his second year, said: “I man the telephones in the mornings, and I do tech support. I also help with content creation by turning instructions into video courses online with questions so that our clients can watch them.

“I mix my work with my apprenticeship work and all my lessons online, and work from home on my lessons on Fridays.

“I have a got a lot out of it, meeting different people in the organisation and it’s been great, seeing what people do in different areas. It’s definitely a good experience, and I would like to stay within the IT sector.”

Mark Murray, training manager at Redthorn, said: “I’m very pleased with how Joseph is doing.

"Having an enthusiastic apprentice onboard to support our new product was crucial but I needed to justify the cost in the business case that I had to put forward, and the funding opportunity that came from Lancashire County Council was very much a deciding factor for approval.

"It’s been a real benefit to us to have the financial support in place  - Joseph’s involvement in the project has been very well-received internally.”

The funding announcement will mean any Lancashire business that employs less than 250 people, has a turnover of less than £50m and hasn't recruited an apprentice in the last two years can receive impartial advice regarding apprenticeships and apply for the apprenticeship incentive.

The programme complements the Department for Education early apprenticeship pilot called ‘Early Connect,’ which helps young people access apprenticeships straight after leaving sixth form or college.

Aimed at increasing the number of 18-year-olds starting apprenticeships and being trialled in three areas nationwide including Lancashire, it is hoped the ‘Early Connect’ project will benefit businesses and young people across Lancashire.

County Councillor Jayne Rear, cabinet member for Education and Skills, said: "We are committed to encouraging small-to-medium enterprises across Lancashire to invest in their early career pipeline through engagement with apprenticeships. 

“We are delighted that 94 businesses have so far engaged with us to build their talent pipeline by offering opportunities to younger employees.  This not only grows our Lancashire talent base, but also provides opportunities for young people to effectively transition into the world of work and realise their potential."

County Councillor Aidy Riggott, cabinet member for Economic Development and Growth, said: "We are making significant strides in aligning skills and employment opportunities with local labour market needs.

"These initiatives not only prepare our young people for future job opportunities but also re-engage and enable young adults to boost their skills and their employment prospects, meaning that Lancashire jobs can be filled by Lancashire people, making the most of our county's great potential."

Leader of Lancashire County Council, Phillippa Williamson, said: “It is fantastic to be working with businesses to boost employment and strengthen the local economy right across Lancashire.

“I want to encourage all eligible businesses and providers to consider this opportunity to connect with the future workforce by applying to our Young Apprenticeship Grant scheme. Providing opportunities for both business and young people through this scheme is just one element of our innovative vision to support economic growth in Lancashire.”