Our Town, Our Future: Making the Apprenticeship Levy Work Locally

January 31, 2017 by Southend Borough Council

Southend-on-Sea Borough Council in association with the Skills Funding Agency and South East Essex College are inviting employers to an apprenticeship workshop on 1st February 2017 at The Holiday Inn, Southend-on-Sea, from 8:30am -1pm.

The group will provide the latest information on the government’s apprenticeship agenda, the new apprenticeship levy as well as exploring how we can all collaborate as employers, maximise the levy and develop a skilled Southend-on-Sea workforce for the future.

The Apprenticeship Levy will be introduced on 6th April 2017 and will require employers in the UK to invest in apprenticeships and spend 0.5% of their total wage bill on the levy. This applies to business with a pay bill over £3million each year. The Government will provide a 10% top up to the fund which can be used to pay for Government approved training and invest in apprenticeships.

Attendees will be able to hear directly from government about their proposals, and the agenda will include:

· Digital Apprenticeship Service (DAS) - apprenticeship fees, funding bands, spending funding and targets

· The Levy and digital vouchers of Standards – for employers and providers

· Procurement for Schools and the Levy

· Traineeships / routes into apprenticeships

· Suggestions for growing your apprenticeship programme

· Provision of training and how to set up your organisation to deliver apprenticeship training.

Cllr Ann Holland Executive Councillor for Culture, Tourism and the Economy said: “Apprenticeships can make a real difference to young people’s lives, by providing an opportunity to learn essential skills and gain qualifications all while earning a wage.

“In order to make sure standards are consistent and rigorous, the Government has opened a new register of apprenticeship training providers. These providers will have to pass quality and financial tests, while those with an inadequate Ofsted rating will not feature on the register.

“As an employer if you are considering apprentices I would urge you to attend this workshop which will cover a number of areas regarding apprenticeships, training and the new levy.”

This event is aimed primarily at the business community and will include a mix of government speakers, panel sessions and a number of workshop and networking sessions to share learning and explore potential collaboration opportunities.

Registration starts at 7:30am, with an opportunity to network before the workshop begins, and lunch provided afterwards.

This is a very popular event with a restricted number of places available, so please book now to be part of this working group.

To book your places please email economicd@southend.gov.uk.