The Government is bringing forward a new apprenticeship programme by a month.
Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce said that instead of waiting until 1 April, new apprentices who enrol from 6 March will get money towards their tools and other costs.
The first 10,000 new apprentices are eligible for grants of $1000, or $2000 if they are in badly needed trades.
Employers will receive a payment of the same amount for each apprentice they take on.