Using the Apprenticeship Levy to train your existing staff

What do you think of when you hear the word ‘apprentice’?

Young? Inexperienced? First job? Entry-level?

All of these are common misconceptions. Apprenticeships are not just for school leavers. In fact, apprenticeship qualifications range from Level 1 to 8 meaning apprentices can study advanced courses and even achieve a degree.

Businesses are investing in apprenticeships for their current staff and senior managers so they can learn the essential skills needed to contribute to business growth. There is no age limit for apprenticeships, so anyone within your organisation can become an apprentice to continue their professional development.

When thinking about the year ahead, it may be tough for some businesses to even consider paying for training staff. It won’t be at the top of your list, especially when budgets are tight. But, as an apprenticeship levy payer, your business will have a pot of money which you can access to train your existing staff through apprenticeships. If you don’t use your levy funds, they will be returned to HMRC. It’s effectively free training money which you can use to benefit your business.

How will apprenticeships benefit your business?

There has never been a better time for your business to utilise your apprenticeship levy funds and upskill your workforce for the future. Did you know your existing staff members can start an apprenticeship even whilst furloughed?

During lockdown, many Gloucestershire based businesses have been in touch with our Business Hub team to enquire about our Digital Marketing Apprenticeship for their existing members of staff. With the whole world moving online due to Coronavirus restrictions, businesses have been forced to step up their digital game. Our Digital Marketing Apprenticeship can bring essential skills into your business at no additional cost.

Apprenticeships not only bring essential skills into your business, training your existing staff through the levy is also brilliant for retention. If your staff feel valued because you are allowing them to develop and progress within your organisation, they will be loyal employees who will want to stay with your business for years to come.

How can your business use your levy funds?

Take a look at your organisation as a whole and identify your business needs, skill-gaps and existing staff members with the potential to grow. Then talk to our Business Hub team about your unique requirements, and we can find the right apprenticeship training programmes for you. We have over 50 apprenticeship programmes available covering many sectors and skills.

Gloucestershire College has a whole team of experts who are here to advise and guide businesses to get the most out of their levy and maximise the funding on offer. We can provide your organisation with bespoke training guidance and can speak to your staff members about their options and our different apprenticeship programmes available.

We provide no-obligation advice and guidance

If an employer comes to speak to us about their requirements for training, but our apprenticeship programmes are not quite the right fit, we will happily signpost them to other apprenticeship providers.

Although we have an extensive range of apprenticeships, we don’t cover every single industry or skill set. What’s important for us at Gloucestershire College, is that you get the right programme for the skills you need in your business. We are very supportive of all local employers and happy to offer no-obligation advice and guidance.

Employer case study: South Gloucestershire Council

Find out how South Gloucestershire Council has successfully used the Apprenticeship Levy to train their existing staff members, working in partnership with Gloucestershire College.

Speak to our Business Hub team today

To explore our wide range of apprenticeship programmes, speak to our experts by emailing: business.hub@gloscol.ac.uk or calling: 01452 563400