JTL is launching a new campaign ‘Keep the skills alive and the lights shining’ which encourages employers to utilise the cash incentive being offered and take on an apprentice before the 31 January 2021. In recognition of the value apprentices can bring to our economy, an incentive payment of £2,000 is being offering to employers who hire an apprentice between the age of 16-24 years old, while £1,500 will be paid when an apprentice aged 25 and over is taken on.

There is no limit on the number of incentive payments that an employer can claim for apprentices eligible to receive funding, providing each apprentice meets the eligibility criteria. The apprentice must be a new employee to the business, have a contract of employment start date between 1 August 2020 and 31 January 2021 (inclusive), and must not have been employed by the employer within the six months prior to the contract start date. Plus, this incentive can be used in addition to the existing £1,000 government grant available if you take on an apprentice aged 16-18.

Cathie Foster, head of marketing and communications at JTL, said: “The messaging of our ‘Keep the skills alive and the lights shining’ campaign comes at a crucial time, whereby we want to encourage employers to build a brighter future for their business by taking advantage of this funding. With January just around the corner, now is the last opportunity for employers to access the government funding and take on apprentices to further support their individual business, as well as helping the wider COVID-19 economic recovery plan.

“As part of JTL’s support offering and to ensure the pipeline of skilled tradespeople continues, we are on-hand to speak to employers who are keen to invest in the training and development of an apprentice, and to help employers make the most of government financial assistance available to them”.