The Levy and Apprenticeships

The traditional apprenticeship role has changed. With the introduction of new apprenticeship standards there are now many programmes available even up to degree level. The breadth of apprenticeships and qualifications available has also significantly increased and they now cover a wide range of roles and jobs.

All apprenticeship programmes will utilise a mix of on and off the job training, all contributing towards the apprenticeship standard. In many cases this will include 20 percent of the employees paid hours, but this is determined by the type of apprenticeship.

Dudley Council is welcoming requests for support from its Apprenticeship Levy Business Support Programme.

Employers, such as Dudley Council, pay a levy to develop apprentices, those employers that have accrued unused funds by paying the levy can assist other organisation.

The unused funds can be used by others employers to help pay for their apprenticeship training costs. These funds can be used to pay for the training costs associated with a new apprentice or for upskilling existing employees.

An apprenticeship is a genuine job with an accompanying programme of skills development.

Apprentices can gain the technical knowledge, practical experience and the wider skills they need for their immediate job and future career. The apprentice will gain this through a wide mix of learning in the workplace, for example, shadowing and working alongside experienced staff, formal off the job training and opportunities to practice new skills in a real work place.

Raise Staff Morale - When staff feel recognised and are encouraged to consider new skills and new ways of learning – engagement improves. Generally when engagement is, morale is high.

Reduce Staff Turnover - Staff leave to go to new challenges and to be promoted – undertaking apprenticeship programmes offers employees new challenges and offers the organisation the opportunity to “grow our own”.

Increase diversity - Apprenticeships now have no age limits and the range of programmes available under the apprenticeship levy offer huge potential for increased diversity.

A skilled workforce fit for the future - Dudley is linking the apprenticeship levy to the succession plans and workforce plans within the directorates – which helps focus on areas of skills shortage both now and in the future.

Improve Productivity - Engaged and motivated employees are encouraged to consider new ways of working during their learning and so improve productivity

Attract the best Candidates - Apprentices at intermediate, higher and graduate are now available and offer applicants an alternative to university fees.

Create a talent pipeline across your area - Career and develop pathways are being developed in directorates – which offer employees development routes.

Improve the Organisation image - Dudley is offering great opportunities, offering new qualifications into the borough and benchmarks against other authorities so we can measure our improvement.

Match the skills of the employees to the skills needed - This is being completed in workforce planning so that agency spend can reduce.