Nottingham Apprenticeship Grant
Support to Recruit Young Apprentices in Nottingham
The Nottingham Apprenticeship Grant provides funding to help Nottingham employers create new apprenticeship opportunities for young people aged 16 to 24 who are unemployed or economically inactive.
The grant aims to increase apprenticeship opportunities across Nottingham, support local businesses to grow their workforce, and help young people access meaningful employment and skills development.
Eligible employers can receive:
£1,500 per apprentice
The grant is paid in two stages:
Stage Payment Amount When Paid
Stage 1 £500 After the apprentice has been retained for 4 weeks
Stage 2 £1,000 After the apprentice has been retained for 13 weeks
Evidence will be required at each stage to confirm employment and apprenticeship participation.
Applications should be submitted before the apprenticeship start date. In exceptional circumstances applications may be considered for apprentices recruited in the previous three months, subject to available funding.
Who Can Apply?
Your organisation may be eligible if you:
Employ fewer than 250 people (SME)
Are based in Nottingham or recruiting into a role located within Nottingham City
Have been trading for at least 12 months
Are registered with Companies House or have an HMRC Unique Tax Reference (UTR)
Meet all relevant employment, safeguarding, health and safety requirements
Hold appropriate Employers' Liability Insurance
Can provide a suitable apprenticeship opportunity and supervision
Agree to monitoring and evidence requirements
Are financially solvent and have a UK business bank account
Have no outstanding debts owed to Nottingham City Council
Priority may be given to employers who:
Demonstrate good employment practices
Have signed up to, or are working towards, the Good Employment Charter
Offer progression opportunities
Operate in growth or skills shortage sectors
Recruit individuals facing barriers to employment
Apprentice Eligibility
The apprentice must:
Be aged 16 to 24 when the apprenticeship starts
Live within Nottingham City
Be unemployed or economically inactive before recruitment
Have the right to work in the UK
Be newly recruited into the business
Be enrolled on an approved apprenticeship programme
Not already be employed by the business before the apprenticeship start date
Apprenticeship Eligibility
The apprenticeship must:
Be a genuine new apprenticeship opportunity
Meet national apprenticeship requirements
Be delivered through an approved training provider
Pay at least the Apprenticeship National Minimum Wage
Include meaningful training and development opportunities
What Cannot Be Funded?
The grant cannot support:
Existing staff converting to apprenticeships that were planned before the scheme launched
Temporary agency arrangements
Duplicate claims funded through other public grant schemes
Apprenticeships within large levy-paying employers (250+ employees)
Roles involving immediate family members of business owners or directors
Subsidy Control
This grant is awarded under the UK's Minimal Financial Assistance (MFA) rules. Businesses can receive up to £315,000 of MFA support over a rolling three financial year period.
Successful applicants will receive documentation which should be retained for future public funding applications.
How to Apply
Complete the Nottingham Apprenticeship Grant Application Form and submit:
Completed application form
Employers' Liability Insurance certificate
Company bank details on company letterhead
Email your application to:
📧 thegoodemploymenthub@nottinghamcity.gov.uk
Further Information
Please download and read the full Nottingham Apprenticeship Grant Applicant Guidance before applying.
For questions about the grant, please contact: