The UK government has announced an extension for SMEs to apply for the Apprenticeship Grant for Employers, giving employers until March 2014 to apply for the grant.

The grant of £1,500 was originally available during the 2012/2013 financial year, with the extension coming after positive feedback from participants.

In addition to being extended, the Apprenticeship Grant for Employers will allow employers to receive grants for increased numbers of apprentices, rising to a maximum of ten apprentices.

The grant is designed to encourage businesses with less than 1,000 employees to take on apprentices as part of a national effort to provide young people with employment opportunities.