Wigan Council is continuing its support of young people taking their first steps in their careers, with more than 300 grants approved ahead of this year’s National Apprenticeship Week.
In February 2023, Wigan Council launched its flagship Future Apprentices for Business (FAB) scheme to help create new apprenticeships and support young workers across the borough.
Building on previous apprenticeship schemes, the FAB project has surpassed expectations with more than 135 placements approved and almost £500,000 delivered to help employers invest in their business, reduce training costs, and boost recruitment numbers.
Leader of Wigan Council, Councillor David Molyneux MBE, said: “I’ve been a passionate supporter of apprenticeships for a long time because I know how important they can be to gain vital skills and experience, learn on the job, and get paid for it at the same time.
“I’m also aware of the huge benefits that apprentices can bring to employers in meeting their staffing needs and skills gaps, so I’m very proud of the work the council has done with our pioneering FAB scheme to support both our young people and local businesses.”
With the FAB programme open to all Wigan Borough businesses that have fewer than 250 employees, grants of £3k and £5k have been made available to establish an apprenticeship for young people aged between 16 and 25.
One FAB-supported apprentice is Billy Halliwell, who joined the Rebuild with Hope Foundation in September 2024 as a Level 3 Digital Support Technician, via Wigan and Leigh College.
With Billy’s commitment and enthusiasm instrumental in delivering key projects at the charity, including a borough-wide data collection platform to improve service co-ordination, he was recognised for all his hard work by being crowned Apprentice of the Year at the 2025 Wigan Borough Business Awards.
Billy said: “Starting my apprenticeship with Rebuild with Hope, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. Through hands-on experience, learning from mistakes, and support from those around me, I’ve grown a lot, both professionally and personally.”
Another local company which has taken advantage of the FAB scheme is AS Construction Services in Leigh, with 20-year-old Sebastian Roberts gaining full employment following a successful bricklaying apprenticeship.
The FAB scheme was a key factor in the business’ decision to recruit apprentices, owner Adam Sutcliffe admitted, with the grant helping to offset costs during college training periods and enabling them to take on more work.
“The grant has been a great incentive. It’s allowed us to grow while giving young people a chance to learn a trade. We’d definitely encourage other businesses to get involved,” Adam said.
Similarly, Cheryl Dalton emphasised that the FAB grant was instrumental in Playhouse Day Nursery’s decision to recruit apprentices, with Carrie Foster joining the team as a Level 2 Early Years Practitioner apprentice in September 2023, and Faith Pryle joining as a Level 3 Early Years Educator apprentice in November 2024.
Speaking of the FAB scheme, the owner of the Pemberton nursery, said: “As a small business owner, it is a great incentive to be able to offer apprenticeship opportunities to school leavers and provide them with experience and skills they would need to fulfil a job role.”
Other organisations that have recruited apprentices through the FAB scheme include Michelle Lilley Haidressing in Winstanley, Helen Ferneyhough Associates and Elite Electrical in Wigan, Go Ben Travel in Ashton-in-Makerfield, and Castle Hill St Philip’s Primary School in Hindley.
With many young people gaining full-time employment following their FAB-backed apprenticeship, the scheme’s success can also be viewed by the number of organisations wanting to recruit further apprentices through the project and FAB talent pool.
The talent pool is designed to incentivise recruitment of priority groups including care leavers, children looked after, those with special educational needs and disabilities, and young people currently not in education, employment or training.
Taking place from Monday 9th February to Friday 15th February, National Apprenticeship Week is a week-long celebration to shine a light on the positive impact that apprenticeships make to individuals, businesses, and the wider economy.
For more information about the FAB scheme and to apply, visit Future Apprentices for Business (FAB) grants programme or alternatively call 01942 489190 or contact Business support.
