Osborne’s budget increases funding for Apprenticeships to help economic growth and future jobs

On 23 March George Osborne set out his second budget which aimed to encourage economic growth and jobs for the future in the UK. 

There were a range of measures that will affect businesses across the region but in terms of training the key announcement was that the Government will be providing £180 million for up to 50,000 additional Apprenticeship places over the next four years. 40,000 of these places will be for young unemployed people progressing on from the work experience programme which has now been given funding for 100,000 placements.

To remove the barriers faced by SMEs in accessing Apprenticeships, the Government will support a business  consortia to set up and maintain advanced and higher Apprenticeships schemes, supported by grants, creating a further 10,000 apprenticeships.

Apprenticeships are already well established at Bedford College, they have been running the scheme for many years and welcome this increase in funding.

To find out more about Apprenticeships speak to a Business Development Adviser on 0300 011 23 44