New incentive payments for employers hiring Apprentices

Are you a small business owner interested in taking on a school leaver Apprentice?

Here is everything you need to know about the new incentive payments that may be available to you.

New Apprenticeship funding rules

The government has published the 2026/2027 Apprenticeship funding rules.

One noteworthy change is that from October 2026, non-levy paying employers (businesses with a salary bill of less than £3 million) will be able to get a hiring payment of £2,000 when recruiting new Apprentices aged 16-24.

This will apply to those starting an Apprenticeship from 1st October 2026, providing they have started their job with their employer within the previous 90 days. A £1,000 incentive also remains available to all employers hiring an Apprentice aged 16-18.

Bury College can help you employ an Apprentice

Bury College is proud to offer local businesses the opportunity to employ new staff and upskill their workforce with Apprenticeship programmes. Subjects available for school leavers include:

• Accounting
• Childcare
• Customer Services
• Dental
• Hairdressing
• Teaching Assistants

Stacey, Senior Manager for Mulberry Bush Nursery Group, comments on her experience working with the College and hiring Apprentices below:

“The Apprentices that come to us through Bury College are of a high standard. Staff are amazing, they come to us with ideas and if issues arise, they help us. If you’re thinking of hiring an Apprentice and don’t know where to start, Bury College will support you through the process.”

If you’d like to hire a school leaver Apprentice, the college’s dedicated Apprenticeship Team can offer guidance on funding, as well as help match you with candidates and support you through the recruitment process.

If you have any questions, or require clarity on your eligibility for incentives, please reach out to our friendly team: apprenticeships@burycollege.ac.uk