KEIGHLEY businesses could receive grant aid as part of an initiative to boost apprenticeships.

The Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is offering grants of up to £2,000 to help companies recruit their first apprentice, aged 19 to 24.

Firms with less than 50 employees are eligible to apply.

The programme is part of a wider package of support available to businesses across the Leeds City Region, which includes Keighley, through the LEP growth service.

Increasing the number of apprenticeships for people of all ages is among the aims of the LEP, working in partnership with West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, leader of Bradford Council and chairman of the combined authority, said: "As a region one of our key strengths is our young population and I am passionate about ensuring there are opportunities for all of them.

"I'm delighted that the LEP, in conjunction with the combined authority, has launched this new grant.

"It has been specifically developed to support 19-to-24-year-olds, however it's important to remember that apprenticeships are available for all ages.

"Apprenticeship schemes can provide fantastic opportunities to retrain, enter new industries and start exciting new careers."

Her comments are echoed by LEP chairman, Roger Marsh.

He said: "Businesses which employ an apprentice report many benefits, from training staff in the skills needed to improved productivity and employee retention.

"The LEP has supported nearly 3,000 businesses to recruit an apprentice through its last round of grant funding and I'm looking forward to supporting even more with the launch of this new scheme."

For more details, visit the-lep.com/age, e-mail age@the-lep.com or call 0113 348 1818.