16-19 Bursary Fund: Apprentices

Question

The 16 to 19 Bursary Fund targets support for the most vulnerable and disadvantaged young people who need help with the costs of staying in post-16 education and training.

The department has no plans to extend the qualifying criteria to include apprentices, because they are employed and in receipt of a wage. Apprenticeships are paid jobs allowing people to earn while they learn, gaining the necessary knowledge and skills needed to progress, or start an exciting career in a variety of industries.

The department continues to provide £1,000 to both employers and providers when they take on 16 to 18 year-old apprentices and 19 to 24 year-old apprentices with an education, health and care plan.

To support apprentices with living costs, employers may offer work benefits such as travel loans, or company equipment such as a phone or a car and in some cases offer relocation allowance.

The department recognises that young care-experienced apprentices, usually living independently, are more likely to struggle with living costs while on an apprenticeship. For this reason, in 2018 the department introduced a £1,000 bursary for care leavers on apprenticeships.