CITB is increasing apprenticeship grants from 1 April. It promises they will also be easier to understand.

It says companies registered with it told it they wanted grants that are simple to understand and provide support throughout the apprenticeship programme.

CITB says it listened and from 1 April there will be a £2,500-a-year attendance grant for every new, eligible apprentice and a £3,500 achievement grant.

Previously, a typical two-year Apprenticeship package would have attracted grants of £6,000 and a typical three-year Apprenticeship £10,250.

Stephen Radley, CITB Director of Strategy and Policy said: "We know that taking on an apprentice is a big investment for employers who have seen the cost of doing this go up significantly in recent years.

"These grant increases are designed to help employers of all sizes take on apprentices and ensure those learners complete their courses.

"CITB support isn’t just about money, but we believe that this major rise in grant funding will improve both apprenticeship starts and completions in our sector."

If you want to know more about how CITB supports apprentices, go to www.citb.co.uk/citb-apprenticeships.