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<p>Our reforms continue to improve the quality of apprenticeships at all levels, providing
the skills that employers need. We have already seen the numbers of starts at higher
levels (level 4 and above) rise by 12.5 per cent so far this year, compared to the
same period last year. We are seeing a healthier balance across all levels, helping
people of all ages progress to higher skills.</p><p>We provide funding to support
all young people access apprenticeships. To encourage the employment of young apprentices,
the government provides £1,000 payments to both employers and providers when taking
on a 16 to 18 year old apprentice. The government also pays 100 per cent of the cost
of training for small employers (fewer than 50 employees) who take on a 16 to 18 year
old apprentice. This also applies to 19 to 24 year olds who were in care or who have
an Education, Health and Care plan. In addition, from August 2018, we are introducing
a bursary for care leavers starting apprenticeships. This bursary will be £1,000,
available to all care leavers aged 16 to 24 year olds and paid direct to them.</p><p>Apprenticeships
disproportionately benefit people from lower socio-economic backgrounds – delivering
more, better quality, apprenticeships will ensure that more people from these backgrounds
are enabled to gain the skills and training they need to build successful careers.
We provide additional funding support for individuals from disadvantaged areas, by
providing a cash payment to providers for training apprentices on frameworks who live
in the top 27 per cent of deprived areas.</p><p>We are increasing the take up of degree
apprenticeships through the Degree Apprenticeship Development Fund, by funding projects
that include encouraging participation of under-represented groups in disadvantaged
areas.</p><p>To promote apprenticeships and encourage take up at all levels, we are
targeting employers, parents and young people using proven channels: radio adverts,
digital advertising, social media and telemarketing activity. The latest phase of
our ‘Get in Go Far’ marketing campaign will launch shortly. We are also taking specific
actions to increase starts in the 16 to 18 age group; undertaking sales and marketing
activities, targeting employers most likely to offer apprenticeships to this group,
and working with organisations that provide careers advice.</p><p>The National Apprenticeship
service has developed the ‘Amazing Apprenticeships’ website and apprenticeship resource
portal for schools and teachers. It also offers a free service to schools through
the Apprenticeship Support and Knowledge project to ensure that teachers have the
knowledge and support to enable them to promote apprenticeships to their students.</p>
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