05/04/2023 - Permalink

Free training through apprenticeships: apply now

Related topics: Corporate / Partner organisations

Shropshire Council is offering small to medium-sized businesses and other, non-levy paying organisations in the county a chance to apply for free training through apprenticeships.

The transfer of Shropshire Council’s unspent apprenticeship funds allows it to help smaller enterprises by covering the cost of apprenticeship training, enabling them to take on and train new staff or boost the skills of their existing staff.

The council has approximately £150,000 available to businesses that are not currently subject to the Government’s Apprenticeship Levy, including:-

  • A small to medium enterprise/business
  • Another organisation in Shropshire, such as a public sector or health care organisation
  • A voluntary, community or social enterprise sector organisation providing services to Shropshire residents
  • Employers that have opportunities for 16-18 year olds but are unable to access funding via training providers.

The fund will cover the training costs of up 15 apprentices.

To date, Shropshire Council has supported 17 apprentices through Levy Transfer to learn new skills in management, marketing and digital marketing, commis chef, carpentry, business administration and residential childcare. Enquiries have already been made and with limited funding available, the council is urging employers to apply.

Gwilym Butler, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for finance and corporate resources, said:-

“We are so pleased to be able to offer this opportunity to help our small and medium-sized businesses grow and our residents to gain new skills and qualifications. It means that many firms which may not have been able to afford to take on apprentices now can.

“At the same time, that will help create new job opportunities in the county, offering residents a more vocational route to in-work training and qualifications, plus the chance to earn while they learn.”

Local organisation Shrewsbury Town in the Community has already received levy funds.

Jamie Edwards, Shrewsbury Town FC Foundation’s chief executive officer, said:-

“Shrewsbury Town FC Foundation accessed funding for 10 staff to access free training. The training provided has really supported our staff’s development, retention and performance. Due to rising costs within the sector without this funding support we simply would not of been able to afford the training acceded.”

The scheme is open to applications until 24 December 2024 at 5pm (where funds are still available).

Full details of the levy transfer scheme, including how to apply can be found by visiting the Upskill Shropshire pages of Shropshire Council’s website.

For further information please email apprenticeshiplevy@shropshire.gov.uk or ring 01743 258521.