Companies in Cornwall have until the end of March to access new funds to support the employment of apprentices.
The National Apprenticeship Service has recently announced that businesses which sign-up to the scheme may be eligible to claim up to £2.5k towards the cost of hiring an apprentice.
Plymouth College of Art’s creative business services development manager, Hannah Revell, said the funds would support more SME’s wanting to employ apprentices.
She commented: “The new funding is fantastic news for SMEs and, in particular, we want to hear from companies interested in supporting a creative apprenticeship.
“This news really underlines how apprenticeships have moved on, particularly in the south west where the Creative Industries are blossoming.”
Creative Apprenticeships are available for companies involved in several activities, including community arts management, photo-imaging, print, design, fashion and textiles amongst others.
Research conducted by Populus in February 2009 showed that 81% of businesses agreed that apprentices made their work place more productive. A survey by YouGov also showed that 94% think it is important that companies support young people by taking on apprentices in the recession.
For more information, visit creativebusinessservices.co.uk
