PAYMENTS of £500 are once again on offer to anyone starting an apprenticeship or training course as part of a popular support scheme.

The Upskilling Bursary Scheme has been brought back by Malvern Hills District Council, which covers Tenbury, after the successful apprentice bursaries previously delivered in 2022 as part of the Community Renewal Fund project.

The aim of the scheme is to encourage the take-up of apprenticeships and trainee programmes.

New apprentices or trainees of any age are eligible to receive a payment of up to £500 to help cover the cost of travel or travel equipment, tools and clothing necessary to access training.

To qualify, the applicant must live in Malvern Hills District, earn less than £220 per week (before deductions), attend a qualifying course and be employed for 12 months or however long it takes to complete the course (whichever is longer), be completing Ofqual registered training or approved Apprenticeship Standard Framework which leads to a nationally recognised qualification, and be employed for more than 30 hours per week.

For more information people can email Georgia.Brittain@malvernhills.gov.uk or visit www.malvernhills.gov.uk/grants.