Levy sharing benefits local employers

Since February 2021, 57 organisations have benefited from the council’s commitment to sharing apprenticeship levy funding through the Western Training Provider Network (WTPN) Share to Support scheme. This scheme enables large employers to cover the cost of an apprentice’s training for small organisations out of their apprenticeship levy. The council was the first organisation to commit to support the scheme with that commitment recently recognised by Dan Norris, West of England Combined Authority Mayor, at a recent Share to Support event.

The council’s scheme has been managed by Darren Perkins, Apprenticeships Manager, part of Employment, Skills and Learning. Since launch, the team has helped recipient organisations to gain advice, guidance and support on their journey into developing talent through apprenticeships.

In addition, the council has connected seven other large levy payers directly into supporting the scheme – including Bristol Sport.

The range of programmes at all levels of apprenticeship supported directly by the council include:

• Bristol Drugs Project, a charity, are benefitting from an investment of £18,000 to train six service users with lived experience as Lead Adult Care Workers
• Brunel Care, an NHS commissioned care provider, are benefitting from an investment of £105,000 to train seven care staff as Nursing Associates with more to follow in 2023
• Avon and Somerset Constabulary are benefitting from an investment of £101,644 to support seven officers and staff who have taken part in the Stepping Up programme to progress onto Senior Leader Degree Apprenticeships
• Twelve SME businesses in Bristol are benefitting from an investment of £294,340 to support 39 staff access a range of apprenticeships within Construction, Childcare, Security, Digital and Social Care sectors.