Bolton businesses are being urged to take advantage of apprenticeship grants.

Employers in the borough are able to access financial support if they take on a new apprentice.

Firms have received a reminder to access the money following National Apprenticeship Week.

Employers, teachers, parents and young people are being offered advice and information about apprenticeships to promote the benefits of the schemes.

A grant of up to £3,000 is available to any small or medium-sized business creating a new job opportunity by taking on an apprentice.

G Taylor Plumbing & Heating, based in Blackrod, has benefitted from a grant.

Company owner Graham Taylor said: “The apprenticeship grant was a real incentive which helped cover additional costs such as tools, uniform, PPE and insurance.

“Applying for the grant was simple and straightforward as Bolton Council and Bolton College helped throughout the whole process.”

The grant funding is part of a new £1.9m apprenticeship support package from Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), designed to encourage more local businesses to add the training roles to their workforce.

To be eligible for a grant, businesses must be located in Bolton, the apprenticeship must be a new role that will increase employee size, and the company must be a non-Levy payer, with staff wages totalling less than £3m per year.

The firm must also be paying the apprentice minimum wage for their age group, and has not employed an apprentice for the last two years.

Beauty Boutique in Westhoughton has also received one of these grants.

Owner of the salon, Andrea Walker, said: “Employing an apprentice has made a huge improvement to the everyday smooth running of the salon.

“Katie has brought in new ideas and techniques through fresh eyes and a different outlook.”

The programme will also offer Workforce Planning Support Stimulating Employer Demand for Apprenticeships (SEDA).

Additional funding is also available online at levymatchmakingservice.co.uk – businesses can get help to cover the cost of training an apprentice from level 2 to degree and masters.

Bolton Council’s deputy leader, Councillor Martyn Cox, added: “As well as funding, there is lots of free help, advice and support available from our Business Bolton team, for anyone thinking of taking on an apprentice.

“Apprentices have so much to offer and we want as many businesses as possible to benefit from the funding.”

For more information and to apply for a grant, visit businessbolton.org/SMEapprenticeships or call 01204 334066.