· £2.4m for
Engineering Apprenticeship Programme to help Corus apprentices
· £1.4m package of support to boost help for business start ups
and existing firms in the Tees Valley
While on a visit to the Teesside Cast Products plant the Business
Secretary Lord Mandelson announced funding totalling £3.8 million
for apprentices at Corus and businesses in the Tees Valley.
The £2.4m funding for the Engineering Apprenticeship Programme is
specifically aimed at those who are already on training courses
and who are at risk of redundancy or where they might be unable to
complete their course due to the economic downturn.
Around 150 apprentices in the Tees Valley will receive help over
the next two years - including 65 Corus apprentices - to allow
them to continue their engineering training.
One North East has also agreed an additional £1.4m package of
support available to people looking to start up a company and
provide additional help to existing businesses looking to expand
or diversify.
The package, which will raise the threshold of support available
to business start ups from 70% to 90%, will be administered
through the North East of England Investment Centre and will be
available through Business Link.
The apprenticeship programme investment and support for
businesses is part of the wider two-year £60m Tees Valley
Industrial Programme helping firms in the area make the transition
into low carbon and advanced manufacturing.
Notes to Editors
1. Engineering Apprenticeship Programme. Support will take the
shape of training allowances for individuals and support for
employers to enable engineering apprentices to:
· Be supported whilst they gain the work experience they need to
complete their apprenticeships;
· Be retained at the company or move to a new employer to
complete their apprenticeship;
· Receive help to gain relevant post apprenticeship work
experience; or
· Enter further training to develop relevant future skills and employability.
Department for Business, Innovation & Skills
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is
building a dynamic and competitive UK economy by: creating the
conditions for business success; promoting innovation, enterprise
and science; and giving everyone the skills and opportunities to
succeed. To achieve this it will foster world-class universities
and promote an open global economy. BIS - Investing in our future.
Contacts:
BIS Press Office
NDS.BIS@coi.gsi.gov.uk
Rebecca Murrell
Phone: 020 7215 6403
Rebecca.Murrell@bis.gsi.gov.uk