Economy Minister today announced that the
Apprenticeship Inclusion Challenge Fund is open for applications.
The fund, worth more than £600,000, is aimed at enabling more
people with disabilities, people from disadvantaged areas, and
women to take up apprenticeships.
Applications are invited from the education, business and
community sectors to collaborate and identify innovative
solutions to increase take-up of apprenticeships by these
underrepresented groups.
The Minister said: “I am pleased to announce the opening of the
Apprenticeship Inclusion Challenge Fund. While there are over
13,000 apprentices in the north, women, people with disabilities,
and people from disadvantaged areas are underrepresented. I want
to minimise and, where possible, remove barriers to take-up of
apprenticeships by these groups of people.
“I am therefore asking the education, business and community
sectors to come forward with innovative solutions to these
inclusion challenges.”
The fund will support up to six projects with allocations of
around £100,000 per project over 18 months to address these
inclusion goals.
The Minister added: “Collaboration and codesign across the
education, community and business sectors will be crucial to
identifying new and innovative ways to increasing take-up and
widening the positive impact of apprenticeships.
“This fund will connect more people across our communities with
good job opportunities, promote regional balance and inspire
lifelong learning, in line with my economic priorities.”
The fund is open for applications now and will close at 4pm on
Friday 6 December 2024.
The Department will provide a range of supports to all applicants
throughout the application process. It is envisaged that the
successful projects will commence delivery early in 2025.
Further information and details of how to apply can be found on
the Apprenticeship Inclusion
Challenge Fund page of the DfE website.
Notes to editors:
1. The Minister announced the Apprenticeship Inclusion Challenge
Fund to the Assembly on 2 July 2024, as a key part of his Skills
Agenda, to support increased participation in the apprenticeship
system and enhance future promotion and uptake.
