New updates for claiming your £3000 incentive payment for hired and when hiring new apprentices

Applying for the hire a new apprentice incentives payment

Employers can recruit now and apply later!

For apprentices with an employment start date from 1 October 2021 to 31 January 2022, applications open on 11 January 2022 and close on 15 May 2022.

They must also have an apprenticeship start date from 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022.

What you can use the payment for

The payment is different to apprenticeship levy funds, so you can spend it on anything to support your organisation’s costs. For example, on uniforms, your apprentice’s travel or their salary. You do not have to pay it back.

The payment is in addition to the existing £1,000 an employer will already get for taking on an apprentice who is either:

aged 16 to 18 years old
under 25 and has an education, health and care plan or has been in the care of their local authority

This £1000 payment will be paid to your training provider and you will receive it from them.

How employers can apply for incentives

Applications open on 11 January 2022 and close on 15 May 2022.

To receive the payment, employers must submit an application for each eligible apprentice using their apprenticeship service account. Our how to video provides a step-by-step guide. Or get in touch with us Aspire to Learn

When you’ll get paid

Payments are made in 2 equal instalments for each apprentice

To be eligible, your apprentice must complete:

90 days of their apprenticeship for your first payment
365 days of their apprenticeship for your second payment

Payments will be made on the 14th working day of the month, it can take up to 3 days for the payments to reach your account.

You can track when your payments are due to be paid on your view applications page.

If you are interested in how Apprentices can add value to your business, our employer engagement team can help, so don't hesitate to get in touch.

06 Jan 2021