It is now better value for employers to take on young apprentices as employer National Insurance contributions for apprentices aged under 25 years have been abolished.

The change, which came into effect last week, will apply to both existing employers with apprentices and to employers who are taking on a new apprentice.

Skills Minister Nick Boles said: “We’re making it even better value for businesses to take on a young apprentice.

“Businesses will no longer need to pay National Insurance contributions for apprentices under 25.

“Apprenticeships make sense for young people and for business.

“If you’re an employer not already reaping the benefits, now is the time to act.”

The Government is committed to reforming apprenticeships to ensure they are high quality and responsive to the needs of employers by:

• Giving employers the power to design and deliver new apprenticeships as part of the new Trailblazer initiative. There are now more than 1,300 employers designing apprenticeships in a broad range of jobs, from TV production to nuclear engineering

• Introducing a new £10 million fund to boost the number of degree apprenticeships available, providing more opportunities for young people to get a degree while working at a top company

• Creating the Institute for Apprenticeships by April 2017 – a new independent body, led by employers which will ensure the quality of apprenticeships in England.

National Apprenticeship Week 2016 took place in March and saw hundreds of events take place across the country and more than 30,000 new apprenticeship places pledged by employers.