Grants and Bursaries for Apprentices

While recognising the value of technology and innovation, we also know that people and skills are vital for growth and progress. So we offer a range of business support and vocational training as a foundation for career development.

Apprenticeships are our passion and driving force as we look to bridge gaps across the engineering and manufacturing sectors.

As a major contributor to Automate BEST Business Education Skills and Training, we aim to inspire young people to take up careers in engineering. This can be achieved partly through support for the charity in hosting events such as STEM days for Automate UK members.

We will also bridge the skills gap with engineering grants for apprentices and placements within member companies.

Find out more about Current Apprenticeships Vacancies

Applying for Apprenticeship Grants & Bursaries

We offer a range of apprenticeships, grants and bursaries for students across various STEM fields.

Recently employed engineering apprentices are encouraged to follow our grant application process, with trustees considering the award of £1,000 for each successful applicant.

Those non-levy paying companies looking to hire apprentices for the first time are also invited to apply. Apprenticeship grant awards of up to £2,000 may be made in such instances.

To apply you must simply send a completed version of the Apprenticeship Grant form to info@automate-best.org.

Find out more about our one-off grants for level 2/3 apprenticeships, our HNC/HND Apprenticeship Bursary Grant, or our Undergraduate Bursary Grant on the Grants for Apprenticeships page.

Our Apprenticeship Bursary

The Automate BEST Undergraduate Bursary is offered as a means of support for degree-level students through part or full-time holiday (non-study term) placements with a non-levy paying company (sponsor).

To be successful the bursary applicant must be paid at least national minimum wage by their employer. The employer must also commit to paying a £1,000 grant for each year (up to a maximum of three years) that the applicant is studying for a Level 6 qualification in England and Wales or SCQF Level 9 in Scotland through a recognised higher education provider.

In addition, Automate Best offers a match-funded bursary of £1,000 per year (up to a maximum of three years) as a means of support for each student.

Collaborative Support

Working with a variety of industry professionals, companies, schools, universities, and associations, we support the promotion of apprenticeships in engineering.

This includes the prestigious Grant Jamieson Award - an annual grant of up to £5,000 for an outstanding individual who has taken an active interest and shown potential in a field of engineering relevant to an Automate UK member business. The financial support is to be used in helping this individual pursue their engineering career.

We invite Grant Jamieson Award applications from several sources, including:

• Automate UK members who have identified an exceptional young person who has shown great dedication and skill in the completion of their apprenticeship. Such an individual may also have undertaken additional hobby-based engineering projects. Funding support will be vital if they are to continue into higher education
• Schools that have identified a student in year 11 who attended an Automate BEST STEM Day and has shown a high level of enthusiasm for a career in engineering through extracurricular activities. Financial support may be vital for the realisation of their engineering career aspirations
• A College or University annually nominated by Automate BEST who have identified an exceptional student through educational achievement and self-generated engineering projects. Although capable of further progress, this student will lack the financial backing needed to continue the engineering career pathway.

Discover how we collaborate with Educational Institutions and how to nominate a student for the Grant Jamieson Award.

We support apprentices working for companies who have joined as members of Automate UK.

Find out about support for employers, including the grants that we offer to Automate UK members.

Automate BEST is a working name for PPMA BEST, a Charitable Incorporated Organisation Charity number 1156041. Registered address: New Progress house, 34 Stafford Road, Wallington, SM6 9AA