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The Welsh Government have introduced a series of incentive payments for hiring new, disabled and redundant apprentices at levels 2 to 5. The incentive forms part of the Welsh Governments plan to secure apprenticeship training opportunities for individuals across Wales during these challenging times for businesses.

Running from 1st August 2020 to 28th February 2021, employers will be able to claim the incentive payment for up to 10 apprentices (provided each apprentice meets the various eligibilities and criteria).

Hiring new apprentices
Learners aged 16-24

If hiring a new apprentice, aged 16-24 on the start date of employment, employers are eligible for the following payment per apprentice:

Apprentices contracted at least 30 hours p/w – £3,000
Apprentices contracted at least 16 hours but less than 30 hours p/w – £1,500

Learners aged 25+
Likewise, if an apprentice is aged 25+ on the start date of employment, employers are eligible for the following payment per apprentice:

Apprentices contracted at least 30 hours p/w – £2,000
Apprentices contracted at least 16 hours but less than 30 hours p/w – £1,000

Hiring apprentices made redundant from their previous role
The incentive for employing redundant apprentices applies to all redundant apprentices irrespective of age. The apprentice must continue to follow the same apprenticeship framework pathway and have been made redundant between 23rd March 2020 and 28th February 2021.
If learners meet this requirement, employers are eligible for the following payment per apprentice:

Apprentices contracted at least 30 hours p/w – £2,600
Apprentices contracted at least 16 hours but less than 30 hours p/w – £1,300

Employing a disabled apprentice
Employers who recruit a disabled apprentice are eligible to receive a further uplift of £1,500 per learner. This uplift is additional to the standard incentive payment that the learner would attract.

Learners must be new to the apprenticeship programme or have been made redundant from their apprenticeship programme between 23rd March 2020 and 28th February 2021.

Payment applies to all apprentices identified as disabled irrespective of age.

These payments can be claimed in addition to the 16-24 and 25+ incentives.

Further information
For more information and guidance on the incentive please email: contact@inspirolearning.co.uk

Please visit https://businesswales.gov.wales/skillsgateway/skills-and-training-programmes/apprenticeships/employing-apprentice where the apprenticeship incentives are outlined in full.