The Apprenticeship Levy - how will it affect your business?

In her monthly South Wales Argus column, Acorn's Commercial Director and newly appointed Interim Chairperson for the National Training Federation for Wales (NTfW), Sarah John refers to the forthcoming Apprenticeship Levy and how it will affect Welsh businesses. 

As you will have seen from my previous columns, and by simply just reading the headlines, the lack of skills in a number of sectors is an increasing issue in the UK, and employers must therefore start investing in the development of their current and / or new employees to prevent the looming talent crisis.  The latest Government-driven Apprenticeship Levy is an initiative planned to overcome this issue, so now’s the time to start finding out how it will affect you and your business in order to maximise from it for future growth, and a stronger economy for Wales.

As Director of an award-winning training provider, I am responsible for keeping employers across the country informed on Welsh Government policy regarding the Apprenticeship Levy.

Pay bill changes

In April 2017 the way the Government funds apprenticeships in England is changing. However, this change will impact on more than just English employers as the Apprenticeship Levy requires all employers operating in the UK, with a pay bill over £3 million each year, to make an investment in apprenticeships to the sum of 0.5% of their annual pay bill*.

There is no doubt, the Apprenticeship Levy will impact the way businesses, both public and private employers, plan their investment and growth activity in the future and therefore it’s time for us to find out more and explore how we can benefit from this investment by training apprentices.

At Acorn, we push ourselves to be at the forefront of the conversation, so, in partnership with the South Wales HR Network we are hosting a seminar, titled ‘The Apprenticeship Levy – how will it affect your business?’ on the 20^th of July at Cardiff City Stadium.  I’m delighted to announce that the seminar will include a presentation from Kevin Green, Chief Executive of the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC).

Kevin will bring real insight and examples from previous seminars already held in England, so we can achieve a more thorough understanding of how to fully utilise apprenticeships and this new Government initiative.

The event, aimed at Directors, Managers, Consultants, Advisors and SME owners, will illustrate how employers can get involved with apprenticeship programmes today rather than waiting until 2017, and of course with questions and answers throughout it will provide a great platform for businesses to share best practice.

I’ll see you on the 20^th July!

To book your place now >