looking for skilled workers?
Government has made clear their support for apprenticeships as a benefit to both employers and individuals and, by boosting the skills of the workforce, a way to help improve economic productivity. The Apprenticeship Levy was introduced in April 2017. It affects every business in the UK, even those that do not have to pay the levy.
The overall aim of the policy is to increase the number of apprentices in the UK by 3 million by 2020, raising £3bn per year through the levy.
Even if you don't pay the levy - this is for you
The government fundamentally changed the way apprenticeships are run and funded from April 2017. Larger employers (those with a salary bill of over £3 million annually) pay a 0.5% training levy that they can spend on apprenticeships. Smaller employers are currently exempt from paying the levy.
Smaller employers generally get 90% of the costs of off-the-job training (usually done at a college or other training provider) paid for by the government. For more details see www.gov.uk/education/apprenticeships-traineeships-and-internships
An apprenticeship must be a genuine job accompanied by a skills development programme. Individuals gain the technical knowledge, practical experience and wider skills for their immediate job and future careers. The apprentice can be a new or existing employee. The programme must be at least 12 months. At least 20% of their time must be spent on off-the-job training. The training must be directly relevant to the apprenticeship framework or standard.
