We’re proud to launch a new apprenticeship grant exclusively for SMEs across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, with extra support for businesses based in Fenland and Peterborough.

What’s Available

If you are an SME and haven’t recruited an apprentice in the last 12 months, you may be eligible for:

• £1,000 from the Combined Authority, in addition to the £1,000 national grant available through the government

• An additional £1,000 (total £2,000 from us) if your business is based in Fenland or Peterborough

This means some employers could receive up to £3,000 in total support per apprentice.

We are effectively doubling the existing national offer to make it easier for local businesses to invest in young talent.

To be eligible for our local grant, your business must:

• Be a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME)

• Not have hired an apprentice in the last 12 months

• Recruit a 16–18-year-old apprentice

• Commit to paying at least the apprenticeship minimum wage (note: this is different from the standard national minimum wage for this age group)

• Be located within the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority region

The apprentice must be enrolled with an approved training provider on a recognised apprenticeship programme.

This is more than just a grant. Employers can also access:

• Support to apply for the Combined Authority’s local grant

• Advice on claiming the £1,000 national apprenticeship grant

• Guidance on using apprenticeship levy transfer if training costs are a barrier

• Ongoing support to navigate recruitment and delivery

We want to ensure that employers have the full picture and easy access to all available funding and advice.

• Complete the TNA form                             
• We’ll assess your eligibility and confirm in principle whether funding can be offered
• Once your apprentice is enrolled and their training has begun, we’ll issue a one-off grant payment (usually after an agreed number of weeks)

You will also be asked to sign a short employer commitment confirming that:

• The apprentice has started training

• You intend to retain them for the full duration of the apprenticeship