To ask the Minister for the Economy for an update on the schemes that have been rolled out specifically to support apprenticeships during COVID-19.

There are three separate elements to the Apprenticeships Recovery Package:

1. New Apprenticeship Recruitment Incentive

This new incentive programme provides up to £3,000 for each new apprenticeship opportunity created between 1st April 2020 and 31st March 2021. This scheme opened for applications on the 16th October 2020. To date 144 applications have been received, 12 applications have been fully processed and a further 8 applications are awaiting payment.

A total of 124 applications have not yet met the criteria. A key aspect of this scheme is to promote longer term outcomes with employers becoming eligible for a payment of £2,000 90 days after the beginning of the new apprenticeship followed by a payment of £1,000 200 days from the beginning of the apprenticeship. The Department is working with all those who have submitted unsuccessful applications to ensure they are re-submitted with required evidence once the 90 day milestone has been reached at which point payment can be made. Those that have submitted an application which has been deemed ineligible, as the apprentice was formerly furloughed, have been signposted to the Return Retain Result scheme for which they are eligible.

2. Return Retain Result (RRR)

The RRR scheme provides a maximum of £3,700 to employers per eligible apprentice with separate incentives for return to work (£500), employment retention between 1st December 2020 and 31st March 2021 (up to £2,000) and for successful completion of their apprenticeship (£1,200). This scheme just opened for applications on the 1st December 2020, the earliest date a successful application could be made, and therefore information is not yet available on the number of apprenticeship opportunities which the scheme is supporting.

3. Challenge Fund

This Challenge Fund was designed to promote the development and testing of new and innovative models of apprenticeship recruitment and delivery. The scheme opened for applications on 28th September 2020 and closed on 23rd October 2020. The Challenge Fund received 46 applications with 13 projects chosen to receive funding. Successful applicants have been notified and are working closely with officials to agree costs and activities ahead of Letter of Offer issue.

The launch of these schemes has been supported by an advertising campaign across TV, radio and social media. My Department has also been working with training providers, Councils, The NI Careers Service and other stakeholders to ensure that employers are made aware of the support available. I would encourage you to utilise your networks to help ensure that employers within your constituency, and across Northern Ireland, are aware of the support that is available for apprenticeships via the new Apprentice Recruitment Incentive and the Return Retain Result scheme.

Further information on both schemes can be found at the following address:

https://www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/content/coronavirus-apprenticeship-recovery-package