College apprentices to get £300 expenses handout

Kieran Ford, 18, said he would be buying some smart clothes for work

Apprentices in Wolverhampton are being given a one-off payment of £300 to help with work-related expenses.

About 250 youngsters at City of Wolverhampton College will benefit from a slice of £75,000 allocated from the council's household support fund.

Apprentices can claim their payment to cover expenses such as travel, clothing and food.

Kieran Ford, 18, from Coseley, said it would enable him to buy appropriate clothes for interviews.

Mr Ford, a business apprentice in the college’s procurement team, added he was "really pleased" to hear about the grant.

“As I work in a business environment it’s important that I dress smartly," he said.

All apprentices with Wolverhampton postcodes are entitled to the funding.

College principal Mal Cowgill said he was "grateful" for the council's support.

“An apprenticeship is a great way to get on the career ladder and gain the skills and knowledge employers need by learning on the job," he said.

"We know, however, that the costs associated with working – such as travelling to and from the workplace, purchasing work-appropriate clothing, or buying food to eat during the working day – is a concern to some apprentices."

Council leader Stephen Simkins said he hoped the funding would enable residents "to reach their full potential".

“We don’t want young people to lose out on the chance of training for a great career which could set them up for life through an apprenticeship, because current cost-of-living pressures might be making it hard," he said.