Apprenticeships (25+)

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Name of the instrument - Local language
Apprenticeships (25+)
Name of the instrument - English translation
Apprenticeships (25+)
Scheme ID
213
Country
United Kingdom
Reporting year
2020
Type of instrument
Grant for companies
Sub-type of instrument
Support for direct costs
Type of entry
Single instrument
Short description

Public funding is available for apprenticeships for adults (aged 25 and over) in a number of economically important sectors. The public co-funding is 50% of the eligible education and training costs for the off-the-job component from the Department for the Economy. The eligible costs are the training component in eligible courses by pre-approved suppliers. For employers who have an apprentice who successfully completes a level 2 or level 3 course, there is an Employer Incentive Payment, ranging from between GBP 250 - 1 500 (approx. EUR 297 - 1 782) depending on the complexity and level of the programme and the age of the apprentice on joining the programme. There is no preferential treatment.

Not applicable
Level of operation
Part of the country
Sectoral
Name of a part of the country
Northern Ireland
Name of the region (for regional instruments)
Not applicable
Name of the sector (for sectoral instruments)
Economically important sectors
Relevance
Further instrument
Apprenticeship Levy (Part 6 of the Finance Act 2016)
Objective(s) and target(s)
To focus new apprenticeships on economically important sectors which will enable a rebalancing of the economy. This is a separate strand of the general apprentcieship scheme for Northern Ireland.
Year of implementation
2011
Year of latest amendment
2017
Operation/management
The current delivery model is balanced more heavily towards a supply-led model. Providers of the off-the job training play a lead role in the programme maintaining the principal relationship with both employers and apprentices. As a result, employer participation is reliant upon a provider's ability to secure apprenticeships in many occupational areas. Government body involved: Department for Enterprise and Learning (Northern Ireland).
Eligible group(s)
Apprenticeships are only available for apprentices aged 25 and over in a number of sectors. They are described here: http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/apprenticeships-25-plus-frameworks
Group(s) with preferential treatment
No preferential treatment
Education and training eligible
Apprenticeship for adults (ISCED97 3 or 4) (only).
Source of financing and collection mechanism
State (Northern Ireland Executive): 50% of training costs.
Financing formula and allocation mechanisms
50 % of funding will be paid in respect of those aged 25 years and over for the duration of their apprenticeship
Eligible costs
Fees only
Volumes of funding
Not available
Beneficiaries/take up
Companies:2016/17: 1 050 2017/18: 672 2018/19: 686
Organisation responsible for monitoring/evaluation
Department for Employment and Learning (Northern Ireland).
Most relevant webpage - in English
http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/apprenticeships-25-plus-frameworks
Most relevant webpage - local language
http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/apprenticeships-25-plus-frameworks
Recent changes

2017: The funding system moved towards the Apprenticeship Levy (introduced UK-wide). The devolved nations have responsibility for the allocation of their proportion of the Levy, which is calculated based on the number of eligible businesses within NI who have paid. New funding system introduced nationwide for apprenticeships (Apprenticeship Levy 2017).

Recent changes in response to COVID-19

No changes

Sources
http://www.delni.gov.uk/interim-report-review-of-apprenticeships.pdf
NI Direct
Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency
Department for the Economy
Department for the Economy
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