Employers get the lowdown on apprenticeship levy

Employers in Swindon were given lowdown on the new Apprenticeship Levy at an event at Swindon College last week.

Organised by the College and GWE, the event was an opportunity for employers to gain a better understanding of the impact and opportunities the new levy will bring when introduced in April this year.

Employers that have an annual pay bill of over £3 million will be in scope to pay the levy, which will fund the training of apprentices in their companies.

In addition, the event outlined the impact of changes on the smaller non-levy paying businesses.

Paul Jones, head of Business First at Swindon College provided an overview of the breadth of apprenticeship programmes available at Swindon College; with Sally Burnett, strategic commissioner for Swindon Borough Council, providing a summary of the role and functions of the Local Enterprise Partnership and the many opportunities that the levy will provide to employers and young people.

Several local employers shared their own experiences of hiring apprentices, emphasising the positive impact and value that Apprenticeship programmes can bring to businesses.

Carol Maison, BMW apprentice and adult training advisor and Darren Crannis, director of Crannis Technology Services, emphasised the long term benefits of growing your own talent and embedding apprentices in businesses.

Professor Julie McLeod, pro vice chancellor of Oxford Brookes, also gave employers an insight into the opportunities for both higher and degree apprenticeships, with Mike Godfrey, chairman of Swindon and Wiltshire Initiative GWE, speaking about the exciting plans for growth within Swindon.

Further information regarding the levy can be downloaded at www.swindon.ac.uk