Apprentice Recruitment Incentive
About the Incentive
The Apprentice Recruitment Incentive provides funding to help employers create apprenticeship opportunities that strengthen the offshore wind talent pipeline, and support a more diverse and locally based workforce. The incentive reduces recruitment risk and supports workforce growth in key sectors including engineering, electrical installation, fabrication and welding, civil engineering, specialist construction, and maritime operations, while encouraging participation from underrepresented groups.
Funding Available
A total of 42 Apprentice Recruitment Incentives awards are available through this fund between November 2026 and July 2027. Employers can apply for:
A new / additional* Apprentice Award – A £3,000 recruitment incentive to support a new Modern Apprentice or Graduate Apprentice.
An Under-Represented Group Award – A £3,000 recruitment incentive to support an apprentice from an under-represented group.
Only one incentive award can be claimed for each apprentice.
* New / additional means in this context, that it represents a new, expanded or accelerated apprenticeship programme for the organisation, or one that is made accessible as a result of this award and which would not have occurred at the same scale, pace or accessibility without the award
Who Can Apply?
Applications are welcome from employers from across the region who are operating in sectors relating to offshore wind, such as engineering, maritime, fabrication, construction, energy, and related supply chain sectors. Eligibility will be determined through a skills based approach – ie whether the apprenticeship supports the development of skills relevant to , rather than whether an employer operates directly within the offshore wind sector.
Applications will need to demonstrate how your business is linked to the offshore wind sector – perhaps through a listing in the , or another demonstration of a clear contribution to offshore wind projects, infrastructure, operations, maintenance, or associated supply chain activity.
Eligible Apprenticeships
The incentive supports:
- Modern Apprenticeships
- Graduate Apprenticeships
Priority will be given to apprenticeships which will develop skills relevant to priority offshore wind and adjacent enabling roles, including engineering, electrical, mechanical, construction and marine occupations.
*For the new / additional apprentice awards – the apprenticeship must represent additionality - a new, expanded or accelerated apprenticeship programme for an organisation, or one that is made accessible as a result of this funding, and which would not have occurred at the same scale, pace or accessibility without the award
Under-represented group awards will be made where the apprentice recruited is from one of the following under-represented groups: women, rural and island learners, SIMD Q1–2 learners, disabled learners, low-income learners, ethnic minorities, care-experienced individuals)
How to Apply
Apprentice Recruitment Application Forms and Guidance.pdf
Complete the Apprentice Recruitment Incentive Application Form and submit it to:
skillshub@uhi.ac.uk
Applications can be submitted at any time, subject to funding availability. Applicants are encouraged to discuss potential applications with the Offshore Wind Skills Hub team before applying.
Contact Us
If you are interested in any of the opportunities associated with the Hub, or if you would like to register your interest in receiving further information as the project develops, please get in touch at:
- Email: skillshub@uhi.ac.uk
