Government funding is available for all members to upskill new and existing staff through a range of industry specific programmes through the apprenticeship scheme. The majority of learners in recruitment are adults and there is no requirement to be on an apprenticeship contract. Importantly, the learner needs to be relatively new into their role and have the desire to develop their skills and gain a qualification.
Apprenticeship training is available to meet the needs of many job roles. To find out what apprenticeships are available and see the Government's Approved Provider list please click here.
We recommend Government-approved
training provider Recruitment Juice.
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Members referred through APSCo will receive Inclusive+ included in their apprenticeship.
Find out more about the apprenticeship programmes here.
Key points about apprenticeships:
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95% government subsidy so cost to you is around £16 per month or payable through your levy
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Staff must have Maths and English GCSE Grade C or above (or equivalent) and be able to provide evidence
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Staff must be prepared to spend 6 hours per week focused on developing their skills – this does not necessarily mean being away from their desk
How the apprenticeship programmes work
Most apprenticeships take 12-18 months to complete. Experienced trainers will train, support and coach your learners every month as they work through a structured blended training programme that will help develop the skills, knowledge and behaviours needed to succeed in their careers. On completion, there is an End Point Assessment to embed the learning and knowledge they have gained.
How much funding is available?
- Levy Payers: (Annual wage bill over £3M) – 100% of the cost is funded from your Levy. After you have used all of your Levy pot you are required to pay 5% of the cost and the government pays 95% which equates to £16 per learner per month. There is no limit on the number of learners you can have on the programme.
- Non-Levy Payers: (Annual wage bill under £3M) – The government funds 95% of the cost and you pay 5%. This equates to only £16 per month per learner for a programme that would normally cost £5000 per person.
To find out what apprenticeships are available and see the Government's approved provider list please visit www.apprenticeships.gov.uk.
APSCo recently spoke to Eddie Austin, CEO of Operam Education Group to discover the benefits of apprenticeships. Watch the interview in full below:
Expert Guidance on Levy Transfer and SME Apprenticeships
APSCo is delighted to be supporting DfE and local authorities in their drive to show the positive aspects apprenticeships have on individuals, employers, local communities and the UK’s skills gaps.
Tania Bowers, APSCo Global Public Policy Director is a DfE Apprenticeship Ambassador has recorded two on-demand webinars, intended to signpost how levy-paying employers and SMEs can benefit from the scheme.
Additionally, Moya Rylands, APSCo Commercial Director has been working with The Recruitment Trailblazers Group, a dynamic initiative aimed at reshaping the landscape of recruitment apprenticeships. Read Moya's blog from February 2024: Trailblazing the Future of Recruitment Apprenticeships
Levy Paying Employers:
Help SMEs to upskill their workforce and reduce the UK’s skills gap, whilst meeting your ED&I and ESG targets
In this webinar, aimed at larger employers Tania Bowers, an Apprenticeship Ambassador and APSCo’s Global Public Policy Director talks to Amy Glanville, Apprenticeships Programme Manager of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Stephen Ram Kissun Account Manager of the London Progressive Collaboration, an initiative run by the IPPR with JP Morgan and the Mayor of London. Points covered include:
- How larger employers across England can get help with red tape, and be introduced to SMEs to fund their apprenticeship training costs.
- Examples of the UK’s largest employers actively engaging with SMEs to fund higher level apprenticeships, providing mentoring and strategic support in addition to the financial transfer to meet their own ED & I objectives.
- How ESG targets can be met by funding specific skills needs in your area.
This webinar is aimed both at our larger members with levy pots available and as a value-add education piece our members can offer their clients. The webinar slides and contact details across the country are available in addition to the short on-demand webinar.
Access the recording here.
SME employers:
Get help to navigate the apprenticeship scheme, learn how to be introduced to larger levy paying employers, access higher level apprenticeships to reduce your skills gap and upskill your team
In this webinar, aimed at SME members and SME clients, Tania Bowers, an Apprenticeship Ambassador and APSCo’s Global Public Policy Director, talks to Amy Glanville Apprenticeships Programme Manager of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Jodi Fair, Solent Apprenticeship and Skills Hub Manager of the Solent Apprenticeship Hub. Points covered include:
- How SMEs can get one-to-one help across the country to navigate the apprenticeship scheme and access levy transfer funds.
- Apprenticeships are appropriate for all age groups and skill levels – and are intended to plug the UK’s skills gaps.
- How SMEs can benefit from a match with a larger employer – from mentoring to strategic support.
This webinar is aimed both at our SME members and as a value-add education piece our members can offer their clients, to help them plug their skills gaps.
The webinar slides and contact details are available on our website in addition to the on-demand webinar.
Access the recording here.
Access slides here.
We are always keen to have feedback and case studies on how you get involved with apprenticeships. So, if your organisation has a story to tell please contact [email protected].