B&Q
“Apprenticeships are really important to B&Q, with hundreds of our colleagues at all levels currently working towards theirs and another 250 graduating earlier this month. We’re really proud to be supporting the West of England Apprenticeship Service and to give even more people the opportunity to build their skills, knowledge and behaviours in order to support their career journey.”
- Cat Willis
Apprenticeship Specialist at B&Q
Share to Support - Apprenticeship Levy Transfer
Pledge Your Unspent Apprenticeship Levy
The #ShareToSupport fund is calling on large employers to pledge their unspent apprenticeship levy to support the recovery of small businesses across the West of England.
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If you are working within a large business – those with a payroll over £3m who contribute to the Apprenticeship Levy – then we want to help you realise the potential of your levy. We know that whilst millions raised by the Apprenticeship Levy is currently going unspent in the West of England, small businesses have been hit disproportionately by Covid-19. By passing on a proportion of your levy, your business can support job creation and progression opportunities in the region by funding training in smaller companies, including those in your supply chain and sector.
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Through the apprenticeship levy transfer scheme we will work with you to identify how your apprenticeship levy could be used to support your wider business objectives. This could include:
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Supporting small businesses within your supply chain
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Developing skills for small businesses in your industry
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Furthering your corporate social responsibility strategy
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Supporting job creation and progression opportunities in the region
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Once you have made a pledge to the #ShareToSupport fund our team will help your business:
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Identify small businesses to match you with
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Guide you through the process of transferring your levy
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Get in touch with us to find out more and discuss how your business could get involved in #ShareToSupport:
Contact our Apprenticeship Development Managers, via email apprenticeships@wtpn.org.uk
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GEM SECURITY SYSTEMS LTD
“We were made aware of the Share to Support levy scheme through the West of England Apprenticeship service and were linked up with Bristol City Council. As a growing business, being able to fund our apprentice’s training costs has been a big help. We’re looking forward to accessing more funding support from the scheme in the future."
- Phil Edmonds,
Managing Director
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Why should my company consider levy transfer?
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SMEs have been hit disproportionally by the impact of Covid-19. With over 45,000 SMEs in the West of England it’s key that they can access the skills and training they need to support the region’s recovery. Between approximately £4m-£8m of investment in training each year is lost to the West of England and returned to the Treasury. This presents an opportunity for large employers to connect with smaller businesses to drive recovery and growth in the region.
How much can my business transfer?
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Levy-paying employers can transfer up to 25% of their annual levy funds. The transfer will take place through your business’ account on The Apprenticeship Service.
What will the money be used to fund?
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Levy funds transferred via the Share to Support scheme will be used to cover the costs of apprenticeship training for SMEs based in the West of England.
What else do I need to know?
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Funds are paid monthly for the duration of the Apprenticeship
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Sending and receiving employers need to be registered on The Apprenticeship Service
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The transfer can only be used to pay for training and assessment for Apprenticeships
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Only levy-paying employers can transfer funds
I am an SME. How can I access funding through the Share to Support fund?
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If you are a small to medium sized business, and do not currently pay the Apprenticeship Levy, you could be getting help with funding to train apprentices, either new or existing staff in your organisation. Get in touch with us to register your interest: Contact us via email apprenticeships@wtpn.org.uk
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Businesses Who Have signed Up to the #SharetoSupport Pledge
The West of England Combined Authority is working in partnership with the Western Training Provider Network to deliver the Mayoral Priority Skills Fund. This fund provides flexible grant to meet current priority skills gaps in the region. This project is part-funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
