A scheme set up by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) to
help cover the costs of apprenticeship training for small and
medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) has now funded more than 5,000
apprentices.
Over 2,500 businesses have benefited from around £51 million of
pledged donations from larger, levy paying companies, through the
Apprenticeship Levy Transfer Fund.
The scheme has seen some of the UK's biggest businesses cover
100% of the training cost of apprentices for SMEs. They do this
by donating their unspent apprenticeship levy, which is charged
annually by government, to the WMCA rather than giving it back to
HM Revenue and Customs.
Since the Mayor came into office in May 2024, 12 large employers
- HSBC, Amazon, Compass Group, Lloyds Banking Group, Birmingham
City Council, Dudley MBC, Sandwell Council, Coventry Council,
National Express, Wesleyan, University of Warwick and the BBC -
have donated nearly £3.8 million, supporting 216 SMEs and 563
apprentices.
, Mayor of the West
Midlands, launched a pledge in June last year to create 20,000
work experience, training and apprenticeship places as part of
his Jobs for Everyone Priority and to tackle unemployment in the
region which in some areas is twice the national average.
The Mayor is encouraging even more SMEs to recruit apprentices by
taking advantage of the scheme.
He said: “Not long after becoming Mayor, I met Ky, who told me
how he turned his life around after someone recognised his
potential, helping him land an apprenticeship in construction.
“Apprenticeships are a fantastic opportunity for people to get
the skills they need to pursue the career they dream of – just
like Ky did. Through the Apprenticeship Levy Scheme, we've
secured £51m of funding and opened up 5,000 opportunities for our
residents.
“It's a great scheme for our businesses too - helping them to
attract future talent, upskill their existing workforce and help
them grow - now and in the future.”
Those SME's accessing the scheme see their training costs reduced
to zero, enabling them to reinvest that money into recruiting
additional apprentices or increasing apprenticeship pay to
attract more candidates.
Businesses wishing to register their interest can sign up for
more information at: Apprenticeship Levy Fund.
To find out more about the Mayor's Youth Plan and pledge to
create 20,000 work experience, training and apprenticeship places
visit: Youth Employment Plan
People considering starting an apprenticeship can find out more
at: www.apprenticeships.gov.uk
