Apprenticeship Levy webinar following Gov’t funding advice

Posted on 17 Aug 2016 by Jonny Williamson
Number of apprenticeships struggle as university numbers continue to do well - work experience

EEF is running a free webinar to bring firms up-to-speed on the Apprenticeship Levy. The move comes after the Government published funding guidance late last week, bringing firms a step closer to seeing the Levy become a business reality in April 2017.

The webinar is expected to be led by Tim Thomas, director of employment and skills policy at EEF, and aims to provide firms with the latest Apprenticeship Levy updates and help them to understand and identify the funding rates applicable to their business.

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Almost 700 firms have already registered to attend, demonstrating the importance of the Apprenticeship Levy to company bosses today.

At the same time, government responsibility for the Apprenticeship levy has passed across to the Department for Education (DfE) and Gemma Peck, ‎deputy director of apprenticeship funding at the Department, will be a guest speaker on the webinar.

This gives firms an opportunity to put their questions about the levy directly to a key Government official.

The free webinar takes place at 10.30am on Wednesday August 24. Companies are being urged to take part and can register to attend here.

Tim Thomas, head of employment and skills at EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation
Tim Thomas, head of employment & skills, EEF

EEF’s Tim Thomas commented: “This webinar is very timely – the publication of the funding guidance takes us a step closer to seeing the levy become a fact of business life.

“Firms are still playing catch up and need information and support as they get to grips with what the levy will mean for their business.

“The fact that [the Department for Education] is engaging actively and openly on this important matter will be reassuring for business. And, of course, it gives firms a great opportunity to get direct answers to their outstanding questions.”

To find out more about the Apprenticeship Levy and the action EEF has been taking on behalf of employers, visit: www.eef.org.uk/apprentices/employ-an-apprentice.

Key statistics:

  • Manufacturers champion apprenticeships in the UK – 79% plan to recruit an engineering apprentice in the next 12 months
  • Apprenticeships in the sector are high quality, typically lasting up to four years, from intermediate to degree level and in almost all cases leading to permanent employment
  • The biggest barrier to recruiting more apprentices is cost (39% of manufacturers), followed by a lack of quality candidates (36%)
  • 72% of manufacturers say the Apprenticeship Levy should be delayed until business and government are satisfied that it’s fit for purpose
  • Seven in ten firms (70%) agree with the Government’s drive to deliver a greater number of apprentices, but only 18% think that the Apprenticeship Levy as it currently stands will deliver
  • Firms find the levy confusing (53%), overly complicated (49%) and think it will simply become another cost burden on business (54%).