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29 Jan 2026

The government's decision to give pubs a 15% business rates discount while excluding independent retailers is a "poor decision based on politics rather than what is good for the local economy",...

27 Jan 2026

For most cycling businesses operating a workshop, public and products liability isn't optional. It's critical. Joanna Evans, Head of Bikmo for Business, explains in the next installment of a...

16 Jan 2026

The 2027 Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift will start in the UK for the first time together, with ten towns and cities across Scotland, England and Wales set to host the...

16 Jan 2026

ACT Director Jonathan Harrison will feature on an expert e-bike panel at both iceBike* 2026 events, joining key industry figures to discuss safety, perception and trust in the growing UK e-bike...

15 Jan 2026

Independent retailers across Scotland have been left disappointed by the Scottish Budget, with Bira warning that the measures announced fall short of what is...

15 Jan 2026

ACT service partner Bikebook has featured alongside the most promising startup businesses of 2026 in the long-running Startups 100 Index, an annual list celebrating the UK’s most...

9 Jan 2026

ACT parent company Bira has has demanded equal treatment for small shops after the government announced plans to water down business rate rises for pubs.

9 Jan 2026

Bikeability has responded to a report that found participation in its child cycling proficiency scheme has fallen across parts of the Midlands, particularly in the West Midlands, and it believes...

8 Jan 2026

Councils across England have received more than £626m in government funding to deliver new walking, wheeling and cycling schemes, with enough investment to build 500 miles of routes and...

23 Dec 2025

An end of year message from Jonathan Harrison, Director of the ACT.

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Applications for additional Apprenticeship incentives open

Posted on in Business News ,Brands & Products News , Cycles News , Political News

ACytech coursespplications for the Government's latest additional incentive payment of £3,000 open today (11 January 2022) for employers who have hired an apprentice(s) over the winter.

Businesses who hire or have hired a new apprentice, with an employment start date between 1 October 2021 and 31 January 2022, can apply to receive £3,000 per new recruit (compared with £1,500-£2,000 under previous schemes) regardless of the age of the apprentice. The apprentice must also have an apprenticeship start date between 1 October 2021 and 31 March 2022, and applications for funding are open from 11 January 2022 and close on 15 May 2022.

This means that for those businesses that haven't already, or wish to make the most of this additional incentive, have until the end of the month (January 2022) to onboard any further apprentices. After that point they then have until the end of March 2022 to enrol them onto an apprenticeship, and until 15 May 2022 to apply for the Government grant.

Cytech training provider Activate Cycle Academy (ACA) deliver the Level 2 Bicycle mechanic Apprenticeship Standard, with Cytech technical training being at the heart of their programme to ensure that all apprentices gain industry recognised qualifications as well as completing their apprenticeship. It offers the perfect mix of learning whilst working and includes the following industry's standard professional qualifications and study modules;

 

  • Cytech theory one (online)
  • Cytech technical two
  • Cytech technical three
  • Functional Skills Level 1 or 2 in English and Maths
  • Health & Safety in the Workshop
  • Legal Compliance
  • Customer service and advanced selling skills
  • Business administration studies plus lots more

Apprenticeships benefit everyone involved, particularly in challenging economic times. Employers get engaged and loyal staff, apprentices get valuable on-the-job training and customers get professionally maintained bikes. Better yet training costs involved with apprenticeships are heavily subsidised (if you don't pay into the apprenticeship levy), making it an extremely cost-effective means to upskilling your staff.

ACAMake sure your business doesn't miss out on this great opportunity to get you staff professionally trained and receive this extra Government incentive grant. For more information about how this apprenticeship can boost your business, please contact Activate Cycle Academy on 01865 550324 or at cycles@activatelearning.ac.uk.

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