More cash pledged to help firms fund apprenticeships
Over £1 million has been pledged to help people across the West of England develop new skills through apprenticeships.
Two new organisations have pledged their support to invest in apprentices at a Workforce for the Future online event, held by Business West and the Western Training Provider Network (WTPN).
The University of Bristol pledged £160,000 – this funding will be used for apprentices to help with the region’s economic recovery by supporting inclusive recruitment, green businesses, and companies involved in academic research.
NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire CCG pledged a share of its £700,000 levy pot to support small to mediumsized enterprises (SMES) in its supply chain, surgeries, social care SMES and disadvantaged areas in the region.
This money is now available to support training costs for small businesses to take on new apprentices or develop the skills and prospects of existing members of staff through apprenticeship training.
The money has been pledged to the region’s Share to Support scheme, which is run by the West of England Combined Authority and WTPN. The money comes from apprentice levy-paying employers passing on their unused levy funds so that more apprenticeships can be created for local people.
Metro mayor Dan Norris said: “Thanks a million to all those who are making sure we keep this apprentice cash local. What a great collective effort to boost apprenticeship opportunities to equip people with skills they will need in our changing workplaces.”
Professor Judith Squires, deputy vice-chancellor and provost at the University of Bristol, said: “We are proud to be pledging up to 10 per cent of our apprenticeship levy to support organisations who would not usually be able to access the levy to create new apprentice roles or upskill existing employees. We hope that this apprenticeship levy will be used to improve social mobility; helping economic recovery by reducing employment skills gaps and supporting inclusive recruitment – particularly prioritising communities that experience high levels of employment deprivation.”
Dr Jonathan Hayes, chair of NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire CCG, said: “We are delighted to be supporting this important initiative, which benefits both local jobseekers and the small and medium-sized enterprises which employ so many people in our region. Apprenticeships are a great way to grow local talent as well as bringing new skills, experience and perspectives into organisations.”
Nationally, it is estimated that between £4m and £8m of unused levy funds are returned to the Treasury each year.
The West of England Combined Authority and WTPN launched Share to Support in the spring, as part of the Workforce for the Future Programme, to help smaller businesses recover through funding new apprenticeships.
Alex Richards, director of WTPN, said: “These levy pledges will be the beginning of real human stories of personal development and transformation.”
Employers can pledge their unspent apprenticeship levy or get support with apprenticeships by visiting www.wtpn.org.uk/ apprenticeship-levy-transfer