Key Points:
- Redbridge Council is offering to transfer apprenticeship levy funds to local businesses to support apprenticeships.
- The scheme aims to promote employment opportunities, workforce development, and economic prosperity in the borough.
- Funds can cover apprenticeship training costs, ranging from £1,500 to £27,000, for qualifications from GCSE-equivalent (Level 2) to Master’s level.
- Businesses in Redbridge can use the funds to recruit new apprentices or upskill existing employees.
- Applications for the 2024/25 scheme close on Tuesday, 24 December 2024.
Redbridge Council Encourages Businesses to Apply for Apprenticeship Levy Funds
Redbridge Council is calling on local businesses to access apprenticeship levy funds as part of its commitment to boosting employment opportunities and skills in the borough. The council’s apprenticeship levy transfer scheme allows businesses to benefit from funding to recruit apprentices or upskill existing employees, contributing to workforce development and economic growth.
What Is the Apprenticeship Levy Scheme?
The Apprenticeship Levy is a government initiative designed to encourage employers to invest in apprenticeship programmes and workforce development. Redbridge Council’s scheme enables eligible businesses in the borough to access unused levy funds to cover training costs for apprenticeships, ranging from £1,500 to £27,000.
These funds can be used to support apprenticeships at all levels, from GCSE-equivalent (Level 2) to Master’s degree qualifications. Training options include online learning, classroom-based sessions, and one-to-one tuition, offering flexibility to suit business needs.
How Does Redbridge Council Aim to Support Local Businesses?
Redbridge Council emphasised the importance of apprenticeships in promoting social mobility and enhancing economic prosperity. Through the scheme, businesses can:
- Recruit new apprentices: Apprentices can take on meaningful tasks and projects, bringing fresh ideas and energy to the workplace.
- Upskill existing employees: Businesses can enhance their workforce’s skills and provide professional qualifications, improving employee retention and loyalty.
The council has highlighted that apprenticeships are open to individuals of all working ages, with no upper age limit, ensuring inclusivity across the borough.
What Are the Criteria for Businesses to Apply?
Businesses must meet specific requirements to qualify for the levy transfer funds:
- Location: Businesses must be based in Redbridge or use the funds to support Redbridge residents.
- Non-levy paying status: Only non-levy paying employers are eligible.
- Salary payment: Employers must pay apprentices at least the national minimum wage; levy funds only cover training costs.
- Support for apprentices: Employers must provide adequate time for employees to train during contracted hours.
- Future training: Requests for funds must be for new apprenticeship training, not for training already started.
Additionally, employers must agree to notify the council about the apprenticeship outcomes for monitoring purposes.
How Can Businesses Apply?
Redbridge Council has made it easy for businesses to apply for this opportunity:
- Businesses should first complete the expression of interest form available on the council’s website.
- After submission, the council will guide applicants through the process, providing necessary documentation and forms.
Applications must demonstrate how the funding aligns with the council’s strategic priorities, such as supporting children, care leavers, NEETs (not in education, employment, or training), or addressing skills shortages in key sectors like logistics, the green economy, construction, healthcare, hospitality, and digital.
When Is the Deadline?
Businesses interested in benefiting from this scheme must act quickly, as applications for the 2024/25 funding will close on Tuesday, 24 December 2024. The council has urged employers to apply promptly to ensure sufficient time for funds to be allocated and reconciled within the current financial year.
Redbridge Council’s Message to Local Businesses
Redbridge Council has reiterated its commitment to fostering opportunities for local businesses and residents, saying:
“Apprenticeships provide a route to successful careers for people of all ages and enhance social mobility and economic prosperity in Redbridge. We encourage businesses to take advantage of this funding to build a stronger workforce and support the borough’s future.”
For more information or to apply, businesses are encouraged to visit the Redbridge Council website and complete the expression of interest form.
