Hugely successful Apprenticeship Levy programme renewed for 2022
"The Levy Scheme meant we were able to include all the staff who wanted to increase their knowledge base and gain further education, whilst remaining very much in the working sector."
Warwickshire County Council has renewed its commitment to promoting apprenticeships with further funding into 2022 for the Apprenticeship Levy share programme.
Since its launch in 2019, the Apprenticeship Levy programme, which is open to all SMEs across the county, has been hugely successful in helping businesses cover the full cost of an apprenticeship, thereby allowing them to address skills gaps and shortages in industry and support business growth.
The programme is designed to make apprenticeship funds reach as far as possible by supporting the local economy to benefit from such investment.
In 2021 it supported 28 local businesses with £422,750 of funding, creating 64 apprentice jobs in Warwickshire. As we move into 2022, we have already shared over £35,000 with new applications coming in every week.
Businesses are able to use the programme to invest in future skills and training by way of Apprenticeship Standards, not only to recruit new local talent, but to support existing staff who may want to expand their skills and knowledge and achieve a fully recognised qualification. Warwickshire Skills Hub works with training partners across Coventry, Warwickshire and beyond who can help with programmes and initiatives across all sectors.
All businesses which apply for the programme receive continuous support from specialist Business Skills Advisors who work with them every step of the way. The advisor carries out a skills review on all aspects of the business and this review opens the door to a wealth of training opportunities.
Among businesses to have benefited from the programme is Willow Brooke Day Nursery in Nuneaton. The training provider worked to upskill the nursery's staff onto apprenticeship training which was invaluable as, throughout the pandemic, with staff shortages, it was especially pertinent to have highly skilled and trained members of staff.
Amanda Dockerty, human resources manager at the nursery, said: "At Willow Brooke, we pride ourselves on our continuous professional development opportunities for all our employees. Apprentices are able to be hands on within their Early Years Educator role whilst achieving the academic skills needed to fulfil their position.
"The Levy Scheme meant we were able to include all the staff who wanted to increase their knowledge base and gain further education, whilst remaining very much in the working sector.
"Recruitment in the early years sector is at crisis point so this scheme helped ease the pressure on our workforce and reward the dedication and commitment of our keyworkers."
Among staff at the school to benefit is early years educator Vicky Reilly who said: "The apprenticeship is very relevant to me as it will provide me with the skills I need to perform my everyday job. I feel that learning ‘on the job’ whilst gaining a qualification will maximise my potential.
"After the apprenticeship I look forward to continuing with my job, using the new skills I have learned with confidence in my abilities to provide the best in early years education."
In addition to the Levy share programme, Warwickshire County Council has also extended its unique funding initiative to support any apprentice who is looking to progress to a higher level.
WCC's Apprentice Progression Incentive Programme gives employers a cash incentive of £1,000 per apprentice as they develop their skills onto the next level.
Used in conjunction with the Levy share, these funds can provide a lifeline for SME's and give them the ability to invest in their staff.