Apprentices will play ‘key role’ in financial recovery
More than 1,000 apprenticeships have been created across the West Midlands in a bid to help the region recover from the impact of coronavirus.
Chiefs at West Midlands Combined Authority have backed small businesses through its Apprenticeship Levy Fund, encouraging bigger companies to help out.
It has seen firms pledge their unspent levy – a tax on employers which can be used for apprenticeship training – to help others across the region. West Midlands Mayor Andy Street said: “These are incredibly difficult economic times given the damage caused by the coronavirus pandemic, but we must do all we can to continue to create local jobs for local people.
“Our apprenticeship levy transfer fund helps do exactly that, and by using unspent cash at bigger firms, smaller and medium-sized businesses have created more than 1,000 opportunities for local people.
“Not only do apprenticeships guarantee work and an income, but they also help people to increase their skills and their employability.
“I would urge any business wanting to take on apprentices, or any individual looking for work, to get in touch with us and find out how we can help.”
A total of 1,084 apprentices and 315 small and medium-sized enterprises have been backed through the fund, which allows the levy to be kept in the West Midlands – instead of it going to the Government.
Invigorate
DPD and Staffordshire County Council are among the latest to join the scheme – contributing more than £500,000 of their unspent apprenticeship levy.
Councillor Philip White, cabinet member for economy and skills, said: “SMEs are the life-blood of our local economy, and we are committed to helping as many as possible to not just recover from Covid-19, but adapt and thrive in the future.
“As many businesses start to get back on their feet, now more than ever they need the right people with the right skills to invigorate their business, but the costs of training may be more than many can afford at the current time.
“By contributing more than £250,000 to the Apprenticeship Transfer Levy Fund we’re supporting more businesses across the county to give young people the chance they need, and a much-needed boost to their business.
“Investing in skills and training will be central to the county’s recovery from Covid-19.”
For further information visit www.wmca.org.uk/apprenticeship-levy or email apprenticeships@wmca.org.uk
