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£200k cash boost for extra apprenticeships

Invest in Renfrewshire > News  > £200k cash boost for extra apprenticeships

£200k cash boost for extra apprenticeships

Renfrewshire Council is to pour an extra £200,000 into creating up to 40 new apprenticeship positions for young people within the local authority.

The council already runs a highly-regarded apprenticeship programme, which offers opportunities in both office-based and craft environments for people aged 16 to 19.

Young people who sign up to be a modern apprentice get the chance to pick up on-the-job experience while studying for a relevant vocational qualification.

Funding for the additional posts will come from the council’s £8m Invest in Renfrewshire scheme, which has the twin aims of boosting the local economy and tackling youth unemployment.

The cash injection will provide a £5,000 subsidy for each new apprenticeship, with the relevant council department meeting the rest of the salary cost.

Currently the council’s modern apprenticeship scheme offers opportunities in areas such as business admin and customer service, as well as trades including joinery, bricklaying and gardening.

Councillor Roy Glen, convener of the council’s Economy and Jobs Policy Board, said: “Creating employment opportunities for young people is a big priority for us.

“Modern apprenticeships are a great way for young people to learn on the job while picking up a relevant qualification.

“The council’s modern apprenticeship scheme has already provided a route into work for hundreds of young people, and this extra funding will increase the number of opportunities available.”

Invest in Renfrewshire has been in operation for more than a year, and includes a number of schemes designed to help young people into work.

This includes an employer recruitment incentive, which provides a wage subsidy when a company takes on an unemployed young person, as well as a graduate internship scheme.