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19 Mar 2026

This one's sobering: 42% of small businesses reported a cyber breach in 2024, according to the National Cyber Security Centre. And it's not just massive corporations being targeted. It's small,...

19 Mar 2026

The Chancellor held a roundtable discussion on a future high street strategy last week, with Bira the sole voice representing smaller retail businesses. Read an update on Bira's place at a...

18 Mar 2026

An independent bike shop is refusing to sell or repair e-scooters over concerns about how they are being used, with the area’s police force backing the call and urging others to follow...

17 Mar 2026

Walking, wheeling and cycling across the Liverpool City Region are saving the NHS £53.8 million every year, according to the latest Walking and Cycling Index, with cycling playing a key...

13 Mar 2026

Findings from consumer rights publication Which? add to calls from the E-Bike Positive campaign to better scrutinise these sites and promote quality e-bikes from reputable manufacturers and...

6 Mar 2026

The Metropolitan Police have seized more than 50 illegal e-bikes during a two-day crackdown in London as part of a wider effort to tackle crime linked to illegally modified electric bikes.

5 Mar 2026

ACT parent company Bira has warned that the Chanellor's Spring Statement offered no new support for high street businesses, as rising tensions in the Middle East threaten to push up energy...

4 Mar 2026

The UK cycle industry were brought together at COREbike 2026, with retailers, distributors and industry partners gathering for several days of meetings, networking and product showcases.

3 Mar 2026

A Scottish bike repair shop and cafe has recently moved premises into a bigger unit thanks to a growth in business, with the local council noting the positive impact it would have on the local...

26 Feb 2026

Here's one that often surprises people: professional indemnity insurance. It's not just for lawyers and accountants. Joanna Evans, Head of Bikmo for Business, explains in the next installment of...

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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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