YOUNG people across Droitwich willing to take up apprenticeships can get bursaries from Wychavon District Council to help them with their living expenses.
Apprentices can apply for help with the cost of travel, clothing and tools or equipment.
Among the bursaries available are a maximum of £50 per month for up to six months for travel, a one-off grant payment with a maximum value of £75 for clothing and a one-off grant payment with a maximum value of £100 for tools or equipment.
To qualify for a grant, apprentices will need to be aged between 16 and 24 years old, have a salary of £175 or less per week (this can be flexible depending on individual circumstances) and live in Wychavon district.
The aim of the bursaries is to encourage more people to consider an apprenticeship as a viable career choice and help them overcome cost barriers.
More apprenticeship qualifications are being made available and some industries now offer degree level apprenticeships, which provide work experience while studying for a degree.
Coun Richard Morris, Wychavon’s Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth and Tourism, said: “We pride ourselves on helping people to take up an apprenticeship and we hope that these grants show people that apprenticeships are not just a secondary option to university.
“Hopefully, this initiative will also support individuals through Covid-19.”
Funding will be granted on a first come, first served basis.
To apply for a bursary, complete the application form at www.wychavon.gov.uk/business/apprenticeships and send it to Wychavon’s Skills Officer, Sue Owens, at [email protected].
