Apprenticeship Support Grant

The Apprenticeship Support Grant is designed to help local businesses in Harborough District create new apprenticeship roles and upskill current employees. This funding aims to reduce the initial financial burden of hiring and supporting an apprentice, specifically for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

• Grant Amount: You may apply for a standard grant of £1,000 per apprentice (a maximum of 2 apprentices per business)
• Match Funding: No match funding is required from your business.

To be eligible for this grant, your business must meet the following criteria:

• Be based in Harborough District or employ the apprentice within the district.
• Be an SME (employing between 1 and 249 people).
• Have been trading for at least 12 months.
• Be recruiting a new apprentice or upskilling a current employee on an approved apprenticeship standard.
• Commit to employing the apprentice for at least 30 hours per week (unless otherwise agreed).
• Priority will be given to businesses who are taking on 16-24 year olds

Please note: You cannot apply if your business is insolvent or subject to strike-off action.

The grant helps cover the initial costs of taking on an apprentice. Eligible costs include:

• A contribution towards the apprentice's wages.
• Initial training or induction costs (if not covered by the Apprenticeship Levy).
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) and role-specific equipment hire.
• Specialist software licences required for the apprentice.
• Mentoring or support activities to help the apprentice settle in.

The grant cannot be used for:

• Equipment purchases.
• Training that is not linked to the apprenticeship.
• Costs incurred before the application date.
• Mandatory health and safety or legal training.
• Activities already funded by other government programmes.

We review applications as they are received. Decisions are typically made within 2–4 weeks. Your application will be judged on:

1. Public Benefit: How the role creates new job opportunities or skills.
2. Business Readiness: Your capacity to supervise and support the apprentice.
3. Value for Money: Whether the costs requested are reasonable.
4. Sustainability: The likelihood of the apprentice remaining in employment after the programme.
5. Young People: Businesses who are taking on an individual between 16 and 24 will be prioritised.

Applications must be submitted online via the Grant Approval portal.

Before applying, please ensure you have the following ready to upload:

• A job description for the apprenticeship role.
• Confirmation from your apprenticeship training provider.
• A recent business bank statement confirming account details.
• Proof of business registration (e.g., Companies House or HMRC documents).
• A breakdown of the costs you are claiming for.

Grant payments are made in full once your apprentice has started and you have provided evidence of their start date.

As a condition of the grant, you must:

• Complete short monitoring forms.
• Submit required training evidence.
• Notify the Council immediately if the apprentice leaves early.
• Be aware that payment may be reduced if the apprentice leaves the role early.

If you have questions about the process or need support preparing your application, please contact the Economic Development Team at Harborough District Council.