Apprenticeship provider Total People has placed 500 new apprenticeships in the region in the last five years, funded by £5M of levy funds from large partner organisations.
The £5M funding has been pledged from eligible businesses who want to invest in upskilling new apprentices in sectors such as engineering, automotive, scaffolding, HR, professional services and childcare, and has contributed to developing new skills in the region.
Eligible employers – those with a pay bill over £3M - can gift up to 50% of their levy funding pot to support SMEs. If those funds are not used, they are lost, along with upskilling opportunities that they could pay for.
• For employers: They allow nurturing of talent and provide a skilled workforce
• For apprentices: They offer valuable skills, higher earning potential, improved life chances, and the opportunity to gain university-level qualifications while working.
Mel Nicholson, Managing Director for Total People explains: “This circle of funding is a fantastic way to generate huge benefits to all three parties involved: the levy gifter, the recipient organisation and, ultimately, the learner. We encourage large organisations with a pay bill of over £3M to access their unspent levy funds and provide new learning opportunities for would-be apprentices.
“Total People receives the allocated funds and supports the recruitment of new apprenticeship placements in the chosen sectors. The new learners achieve new skills, fresh experience and new job opportunities are created in the region. From 16 up to 60, there’s no age limit on starting a new career. There’s no downside – it’s a win-win for all involved.
“Although the new Government is reviewing the levy gifting scheme, at present there is no change outlined that will affect organisations intending to gift their unspent levy. I would encourage anyone who is interested to contact us.”
Sectors in which apprenticeships are available include:
• Childcare
• Engineering
• Automotive
• Business administration
• Customer service
• Accounting
• HR
• Refrigeration and air conditioning
• Conveyancing
• Scaffolding.
For more information on how to fund apprenticeships call Total People on 03333 222 666.