NEW funding support to help the region’s employers create more apprenticeships has been launched by the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority.

The Combined Authority has provided more than £2.3m in grants to local businesses, supporting the creation of more than 1,100 apprenticeships.

New changes to widen the scope of the Apprenticeship Support for Employers scheme, which take advantage of more fast-growing sectors, have been unveiled at an event at Hartlepool College of Further Education

The new offer for employers looking to take on apprentices includes a sliding scale of support related to the level of the apprenticeship created and priority sectors expanded to include construction and care for the elderly.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “University isn’t the only way to open doors to high-quality, rewarding careers – apprenticeships let our employers benefit from dedicated staff who get the experience they need to get on, and the skills businesses need to thrive.

“Widening the scope of our apprenticeship support will help drive forward even more growth in our key areas."