The BBC is backing a campaign to boost apprenticeships in the
Liverpool City Region's digital and creative sector.
Businesses and training providers came together yesterday (29
April) to hear how the Combined Authority has successfully
secured £9.2m in unused Apprenticeship Levy to create 1,521 roles
in the Liverpool City Region.
The fund is levied from the wage bills of big employers by the
government. If not used in-house on apprenticeships, 50% can be
transferred to fund trainees in other organisations.
For every £1 invested in apprenticeships the average return on
investment is £27, meaning that the levy transfers facilitated so
far have created a benefit of around £248m.
Big names such as Liverpool FC, Airbus, Amazon, Matalan and QVC
have supported the initiative and helped fund hundreds of
apprentices.
The BBC now spends more Levy in the city region than anywhere
else in the UK – so far transferring £326,000 to create 37
apprentice roles.
The latest event at Liverpool's historic Athenaeum Club shone a
spotlight on the creative and digital sector in a bid to
encourage small businesses to recruit apprentices. Speakers
included the BBC, the Premier League and Bauer Media.
Mayor of the Liverpool City Region said:
“As a former apprentice, I know the life-changing impact that
quality training can have in transforming people's futures. The
skills I gained during my training helped to set me up for life -
and I want every young person to have access to that same
opportunity.
“But across the country we're seeing billions of pounds of
unspent funding being returned to the treasury every year rather
than being invested in apprenticeships. It doesn't have to be
this way.
“I'm proud we've already helped to divert millions of
potential wasted levy every year - but this is only the start. By
teaming up with major employers like the BBC, we're opening up
more opportunities for local people to gain practical skills,
earn a wage, and build a career while helping businesses tackle
skills shortages and preparing for the jobs of the future. It's a
win-win for our people, for our businesses, and for our region's
long-term success.”
Large employers are required to pay 0.5% of their wage bill
towards an Apprenticeship Levy – collected by the government to
fund apprenticeships. Levy payers can spend their allocation on
in-house apprentices or gift up to 50% to other organisations.
Otherwise the money is lost to the area.
In May 2023, the Mayor called on big firms to transfer unspent
Levy via the Combined Authority Employer Brokerage Team to fund
apprenticeships at smaller local businesses.
The Combined Authority is now working with 23 Levy employers as
part of the initiative.
Over the past six years more than 60,000 jobs and 30,000
apprenticeships have been created through initiatives such as the
Mayor's Young Person's Guarantee and his award-winning UCAS-style
apprenticeship and careers portal Be More.
Sarah Moors, BBC Head of Apprenticeships, said:
“The BBC is delighted to be in a position to transfer our
unspent levy to support SMEs across England and create
apprenticeship opportunities. Using our levy in this way is
enabling us to support the development of new talent for the
creative, cultural and digital sectors, and to help businesses
upskill existing employees. Taking on an apprentice creates a
positive impact on any business. It's a fantastic way to grow
skills, develop careers and support your local community. We are
proud to support SMEs with this endeavour.”
If you are interested in finding out more about how you can gift
your Apprenticeship Levy funds or are looking to access a Levy
transfer then please contact the Employer Brokerage Service at
skillsbrokers@liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk
or register your details here: https://lcrbemore.co.uk/employer-support-brokerage-support/
