Published: Wednesday, 23rd March 2022
Funding support to enable businesses in Cannock Chase to take on more apprenticeships has exceeded all targets and expectations.
Apprenticeship funding was provided as part of the joint Staffordshire Means Back to Business programme, from funding reinvested as part of the Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) allocation to Cannock Chase Council launched last October.
Notably achievements have seen over 60 apprentices being recruited directly in Cannock Chase District along with over 30 training grants to local businesses.
Councillor Mike Sutherland, Portfolio Leader for District Development said “I am extremely delighted to say that we have exceeded our target of allocating apprenticeship grants to local businesses. 61 apprentices were recruited within our District. Cannock Chase was the highest District in Staffordshire for the number of applications approved. We also approved 33 grants for the Nil Cost Training for Employers Top-up Project, providing support to businesses to upskill employees or train new staff. This is a massive help to businesses in our District who have suffered financially due to the pandemic.”
These grants are the first of their kind in the country and is the result of Staffordshire County Council and Cannock Chase Council pooling resources to support business recovery and growth after the pandemic.