Digital apprentice funding – C4DI Beta Satellite programme

The business will commit to taking on a new or additional digital apprentice in paid employment for the duration of their formal training in conjunction with a suitable and accredited training provider and will pay at least the national minimum wage for apprentices.

In return, we will pay the business a one-off grant of £2,500.

The first £1,250 instalment will be paid four weeks after the apprentices’ training has started, with an accredited training provider, and a further £1,250 will be paid after the apprentice has completed week 12 of their apprenticeship.

Timescales may be extended if an apprentice is working 30 hours on the minimum wage - for example, each claim will have to be accompanied with pay slips to a value of at least £1,250.

The grant is to support businesses of any size, although priority will be given to those that employ less than 50 employees. They must be based in the constituency areas of Harrogate and Knaresborough, Scarborough and Whitby, or Selby and Ainsty. They must engage in the C4DI Beta Satellite programme. They have an annual turnover not exceeding £50 million, and/or a balance sheet total under £43 million and have been established or operational for at least three months – businesses that are moving into the area and have been in existence for over three months are also eligible to apply. The scheme aims to encourage businesses interested in employing an apprentice for the first time, or who want to employ an additional apprentice. The payment cannot be used to subsidise an existing apprentice.

The individual who wishes to become an apprentice must be willing to undertake the full training offered and live in the constituency areas of Harrogate and Knaresborough, Scarborough and Whitby, or Selby and Ainsty. 

The apprentice must be in a digital role, including but not restricted to:

•    software development
•    web design
•    digital marketing
•    cybersecurity
•    e-commerce
•    IT support

A minimum wage of £6.40 per hour (including off the job training time) must be paid to all apprentices who are under 19 or in the first year of their apprenticeship. Individuals not falling into these categories should be paid the National Minimum Wage rate for their age band. Employment must be for at least 30 hours per week, except in the minority of circumstances where the learner cannot complete the full 30 hours.

All apprentices must have a contract of employment just like other employees. Ideally, a salary should be offered which reflects the job description and job role and the skills and experience of the candidate, whilst recognising the training opportunity being offered. It can also be helpful to consider how the apprentice’s pay will increase over time.

Apprenticeships last for a minimum of 12 months. The duration of an apprenticeship depends on the framework being followed and the ability of the individual apprentice. An apprenticeship can take between one and four years depending on the level and type. As a guide an intermediate apprenticeship usually takes around 12 months and an advanced apprenticeship around 24 months.

If the apprentice leaves or is dismissed between weeks four and 12 we will recover £675 of the grant and no second instalment will be paid.

If the business employer terminates the apprentice’s contract or if the apprentice resigns between weeks 13 and 22, the employer will refund us the second payment of £1,250.

The National Apprenticeship Service website can provide information and advice on apprenticeships, your responsibilities as an employer, and the recruitment process.