It has been confirmed that the Apprenticeship Matching Service (AMS) delivered by ConstructionSkills, will now be able to extend the funding available to employers for taking on a displaced apprentice from within the Construction Footprint.

The news means that more employers will now be eligible to receive £1,000 for taking on an apprentice who has lost their previous position due to the recession.

In a swift response to high numbers of young apprentices being made unemployed as a direct result of the tough economic conditions felt by the construction industry, the Sector Skills Council for the construction industry launched the AMS service early in 2009.

The scheme was initiated to help employers retain their apprentices or, when this was not possible, match displaced apprentices with new employers in the area.

Previously, only those employers who had taken on an apprentice in the last 12 months of their training could receive the extra money, although all displaced apprentices have been put on a national register, in a coordinated attempt to 're-house' them.

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In order to help fund the service and attract even more employers to take on apprentices, ConstructionSkills secured £1m of extra funding from the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) in July 2009.

Having reviewed the current business climate, the NAS and ConstructionSkills have decided to extend this offer.

With immediate effect, employers who do take on a displaced apprentice and meet the terms and conditions laid down by the funding contract will now also receive £1,000 of additional funding.

The extended offer is now open for all apprentices who have completed college induction training, registered for their framework with CAA or other approved body completed a period of site training to allow collection of work based evidence.

Adele Alcock, Apprenticeship Matching Service Manager for ConstructionSkills, comments: "We're thrilled to be able to open up this offer to a far wider audience. The AMS team has already re-housed over a third of apprentices that have been laid-off and there are more we can help, but we really do need the support of employers.

"We understand that employers are having a tough time at the moment and that taking on new staff might not be seen as a plausible option financially.

"However, I must stress that apprentices add significant value to a business and its bottom line, through their determination, hard work, enthusiasm and loyalty; this is especially the case for displaced apprentices as they have already received some learning and will possess a certain degree of on-site competency already."

Simon Waugh, Chief Executive of the NAS added: "We know that the construction industry has been hit hard in this recession, which is why we are offering this £1,000 incentive to employers who can take on an apprentice."

The AMS offers a broad range of support services to help businesses retain their apprentices through the downturn, including mentoring for apprentices, advice for employers about other available support, and help with paperwork.

(GK/BMCC)