Apprentice places to be re focused on the young

Cable announces extra funding for employers aimed at under-25s

Apprenticeships will be refocused on young people and red tape will be slashed to encourage growing employers to hire them, the government has announced.

Business secretary Vince Cable has outlined new measures to ensure “more young people benefit from an apprenticeship”, including a cash incentive for small businesses who do not currently employ an apprentice and a stronger emphasis on English and maths skills.

An incentive payment of up to £1,500 will be offered to companies with less than 50 employees who hire an apprentice aged between 16 and 24, which the government says will support up to 20,000 new apprenticeships in 2012/13.