MONEY to pay for apprentices has been made available in the Forest, but it's in short supply and needs to be grabbed quickly.

Marking National Apprenticeship week, the Royal Forest of Dean College (RFDC) has £2,500 government grants available for any business prepared to go for it and take on an apprentice.

The college faces a problem common to many rural areas like the Dean. Most businesses are one-man bands or what's known as "micro-businesses" with less than nine employees. Taking on an apprentice can be costly in terms of insurance liability and the time involved in other employees taking on training duties.

Until now government has expected employees to carry the cost of apprentices, but this is where the new grants come in explains Allison Crosslan of the Business Centre at RFDC Mitcheldean.

"We know that in this area about 80 per cent of businesses are either micro-businesses or one-man bands, especially in the construction industry. In those cases the costs of taking on an apprentice can prove prohibitive. But that's now something we can help with. This is a brilliant opportunity for local businesses to provide a young person with employment.

"But," she warned. "The grant is only available to 5,000 businesses nationwide and there's a deadline, so we'd encourage employers to act quickly."

Previous apprenticeships, without the grants, have proved a boon at Dr Swede's Hairdressers and Salter Heating and Plumbing in Chepstow and MK Wildin and Sons Ltd.

While this is new money, there's no guarantee it will last for long. It is available for unemployed young people aged 16 or 17 and the deadline for any employer taking on an apprentice is March 31. For more information ring the college on (01594) 545370.