A new pilot scheme providing fully funded apprenticeship training has been launched.
The Staffordshire Business Support Pilot will use Staffordshire County Council’s available apprenticeship levy to cover 100 per cent of apprenticeship training and assessment costs for eligible employers.
It means small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and other nonlevy paying businesses can upskill staff or bring on new apprentices at no cost to them.
Designed to support a range of sectors essential to Staffordshire’s economy, it is hoped to benefit existing employees looking to develop new skills, new recruits, care leavers, and individuals with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Sectors include health and social care, digital, engineering, construction and the growing green economy.
The initiative is being delivered through the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Growth Hub.
Martin Murray, the county council’s acting leader and cabinet member for economy and skills, said: “We know that skills shortages are one of the biggest barriers to business growth. This pilot is a practical way of unlocking funding already available to use and putting it to work for Staffordshire employers.”
Growth Hub Manager Rachel Wood said: “Staffordshire businesses want to grow but face real challenges in recruiting and developing the skills they need.
“This pilot helps employers boost productivity and performance by developing their existing workforce, without the cost and risk of additional recruitment.
“It uses apprenticeship funding to build skills from within, removing the cost barrier to high high-quality apprenticeship training.
“By delivering this through the Growth Hub, we are providing a simple, locally driven solution that gives employers a straightforward route to investing in the local economy.”
For more information, follow this link, or call 0300 111 8002.
