Somerset businesses keen to take on an apprentice can now tap into help from Somerset County Council.
The authority is making use of recent rule changes to offer ‘levy transfers’ that will cut the costs for businesses looking to take on an apprentice.
The flexibility means that businesses believing they could not employ an apprentice because of the costs could reconsider and help a young person set foot on the career ladder.
Under new rules, organisations paying the Apprenticeship Levy can now transfer 25 per cent of their ‘credit’ each year to fund apprenticeships hosted by other employers and the Council.
There are criteria to meet but the Somerset County Council team can help employers steer their way through the process.
The levy transfer aims to add social value to apprenticeships, with priority given to young people who have been in care or have recognised educational, health and social care needs.
Alternatively, the employer needs to be based in Somerset and be an academy school or multi-academy trust, a social care micro-provider or a pre-school or nursery.
The County Council employs 224 apprentices in areas such as ICT, Children’s Social Care, Customer Contact and Outdoor Residential Learning and is encouraging other employers to help young people into the world of work.
Cllr Mandy Chilcott, Deputy Leader and Cabinet member for Resources, said: “This is an excellent opportunity for Somerset businesses, schools and pre-schools and those providing small-scale social care to help fund apprenticeships for those looking to train and work locally.
“Many young people will be weighing up their futures over the summer holidays, this is a great opportunity to work with our business community and improve lives by supporting the creation of more local apprenticeships.”
More information on Apprenticeship Levy Transfers can be found here: https://bit.ly/2GjKpav
Stay up to date with more Taunton News and Taunton Events
Please Wait...