CBI Scotland Director Iain McMillan today welcomed the Scottish
Government's pledge to offer employers up to £2000 when they take
on any apprentice.
The Employer Recruitment Incentive (ERI) is delivered by Skills
Development Scotland - Scotland's skills body - and supported by
the Scottish Government. Eligibility for ERI has been broadened, it
provides businesses with a cash injection when they take on a 16-19
year old as an apprentice or offer a Modern Apprenticeship to
anyone 20 years or over who has been out of work for a short
period.
Iain McMillan said: "This funding will encourage employers to
take on trainees during a time when recruitment costs may be a
challenging additional burden and it will help more of our young
people to enter employment and training.
"CBI Scotland welcomes the broadening of the ERI eligibility to
allow more businesses to benefit. We would encourage employers to
get involved and take on an apprentice."
Employers can find out more by calling SDS's helpline on 0800 783 6000 or visiting www.sds.co.uk/eri
Damien Yeates, Chief Executive of Skills Development Scotland
said: "Modern Apprenticeships enable employers to build a loyal and
high performing workforce, and young people to earn while they gain
the skills they need to develop a sustainable career.
"It's a tough time for employers everywhere but this
announcement will allow them to recruit any 16-19 year old coming
out of Scottish schools and colleges and to offset the cost of
their wages during the early stages of their Modern Apprenticeship
employment."
He added: "Scotland's young people make a valuable contribution
to businesses and to the wider economy. Most just need to be given
the chance and we hope that by extending the ERI we will encourage
more employers to offer our young people that opportunity."
Minister for Youth Employment, Angela Constance said: "I want to
see as many of our young people as possible develop the skills,
knowledge and confidence they need to be a success in our job
market and contribute towards our economy.
"This offer will help convince more companies to give a young
person the chance to make their first steps onto the career ladder
in 2012. It will also ensure many young people can look forward to
a brighter future this year."
Case study
Jamie Gray,
Young Apprentice of the Year 2011.
Employer Recruitment Incentive criteria
This broadening of the Employer Recruitment Incentive
eligibility builds on the previous offer.
Small companies with up to 49 employees recruiting a MA or an
employee matching any of the criteria will attract £2000 towards
small business employment support. This is designed to assist
small companies with the particular challenges they face in meeting
the miscellaneous costs of recruiting additional staff. Companies
with 50 employees or more will receive £1000.
From 21 December 2011 onwards the ERI is available to employers
recruiting a Modern Apprentice who matches at least one of the
following criteria:
- Any 16-19 year old who is recruited as a Modern Apprentice or
has progressed to a MA from 21 December 2011.
- Individuals 20 years of age plus and three months unemployed
starting a MA from 21 December 2011 onwards.