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Business: find training and employment schemes

These schemes can help you with staff recruitment and skills development. Some are free, but there may be other costs incurred for training, wages, or travel for example.

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Duration of scheme
Cost of training

Paid employment for over 16s, combining work and study in a job allowing you to develop your workforce and business.

Cost

Apprentice minimum wage and 5% training contribution depending on business size

Benefits

You develop a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce with knowledge of your business

Time

Minimum of 12 months employment


Offering a T Level placement gives you early access to the brightest young people entering the market and the opportunity to develop your workforce of the future.

Cost

Free government scheme but you may have your own business costs

Benefits

Allows you to grow your workforce in the short-term with little or no cost and scout future talent in your area

Time

Short term 45-day industry placement


Up to 6-week placement for benefit claimants for those aged 18 and over designed to help you recruit a workforce with the right skills to sustain and grow your business.

Cost

Free government scheme but you may have your own business costs

Benefits

Helps you recruit or train staff through fully-funded pre-employment training

Time

Up to 6-weeks


Flexible training courses for aged 19 and over to fast-track specialist skill development, for existing or new talent for your business.

Cost

Cost is dependent on the size of your business. There is no cost to the employer if the learner is not currently employed by you

Benefits

A new starter will be trained in a specialist skill specific to your business and be highly motivated by a guaranteed interview afterwards

Time

up to 16-weeks


Free numeracy initiatives, offers and courses from pre-entry to level 2 for those aged 19 and over in your workforce.

Cost

Free government scheme led by local areas.

Benefits

Allows you to build the skills of your current or future employees with low numeracy, creating a loyal and talented workforce.

Time

Variable, depending on the type of provision. Includes hourly drop-in sessions to full courses lasting a few weeks to a few months.


Level 4 or 5 qualifications, for those 18 and over, with no work placement but flexible for employees to study while working.

Cost

Costs vary depending on the course and provider. You may choose to pay for an employee to do a HTQ.

Benefits

Developed by employers to upskill existing employees, provide a different recruitment pool to hire new talent and help your company succeed.

Time

1 to 2 years full-time study but part-time options are also available.


An unpaid 6 to 12-month work placement for 16 to 24-year-olds with additional needs, including Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), supported by a qualified job coach.

Cost

Free government scheme but you may have your own business costs

Benefits

Increases your confidence and ability to employ individuals with additional needs, improving and expanding your business’ recruitment prospects

Time

6 to 12-months


Help 16 to 25-year-olds who were in local authority care become independent through practical job-related support, in whatever way suits your business.

Cost

Free government scheme but you may have your own business costs related to the practical offer you make to care leavers

Benefits

Helping care-leavers to move to independent living and bring their life skills to enrich your business

Time

Length of time can vary


Employ prisoners and prison leavers aged 18 and over to help your business fill skills gaps and develop a loyal and talented workforce.

Cost

Free government scheme but you may have your own business costs

Benefits

Access a workforce that is highly motivated to grow through work

Time

Variable depending on employer and prisoner and prison leaver


Additional ways to train up existing employees through free qualifications, career advice and financial support.

Cost

Courses are fully funded for eligible adults but employees may need time to study and attend classes

Benefits

Help improve productivity, and develop a loyal and talented workforce in a rapidly changing labour market

Time

Length of time can vary


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