What is the Growth and Skills Levy Scheme?
The Growth and Skills Levy is a government-funded employer skills programme that enables levy-paying employers to invest in apprenticeships, and other approved skills training, supporting workforce development and economic growth. Businesses with a payroll of £3 million or more make monthly deposits of 0.5% of their annual pay bill into the Growth and Skills Levy pot.
The Growth and Skills Levy funds can now be used for foundation apprenticeships and apprenticeship units as well as standard apprenticeships. This provides a more flexible offer to employers and learners, building on the apprenticeship levy.
It will help people learn new, relevant high-quality skills at work and fuel innovation in businesses across the country.
Learn about foundation apprenticeships and apprenticeship units.
Find training and employment support for your business.
Here at Brent Council, we are committed to supporting local businesses grow and develop their workforce through the recruitment of Brent residents as apprentices. And, as a large levy paying employer, we transfer up to 25% of our annual Growth and Skills Fund to local employers, to help boost the number of high-quality apprenticeships in the locality. The available funding is specifically for the training costs associated with employing an apprentice.
Apprenticeship training ranges from Level 2 (GCSE) to Level 7 (Masters Level), training costs range in value from £1,500 to £27,000. Apprentices can work on tasks and projects which have a direct impact on your business. They are open to anyone of working age, with no upper limit. A variety of learning options are available including online, classroom-based and one-to-one tuition.
Find out about apprenticeship training courses.
Who can receive transferred funds?
Brent Council can transfer funds to employers for new apprenticeship opportunities, particularly where the funds will create an apprenticeship that would not have been created without the funds. This can include new apprentices or existing employees undertaking an apprenticeship training course.
Employers must meet the following criteria:
- Your business should be located in the borough and you are requesting funds to train a Brent resident.
- You will need to pay for the salaries of apprentices. The transfer of funds can only be used for the apprenticeship course training costs and assessment. It excludes travel expenses or any membership fees.
- You must support the employees in their learning and development providing appropriate time to train during contracted hours.
- Your request must be for new apprenticeship training. The request cannot be backdated on training that has already commenced.
- For monitoring purposes, you will also need to commit to notifying the council on the outcome of the apprenticeship.
Financial support for hiring a young person
You could be entitled up to £8,000 of government funding to hire a young person. Find more information here.
How to apply
If you are an employer that would like to benefit from the free funding available, please complete the Apprenticeship Levy Transfer Scheme Application.
If you would like more information regarding the benefits of taking on an apprentice and have support for the recruitment and onboarding process, please contact Brent Council’s, Apprenticeship Team - Brent Works, on brent.works@brent.gov.uk or call 0208 937 6295.
To ensure there is maximum benefit and utilisation of Brent Council’s Levy funds, receiving employers must demonstrate commitment to Brent Council’s Employment and Skills Strategy.
Strategic priorities
Interested employers should demonstrate on their application their eligibility and how the funding will contribute towards at least one of Brent Council’s strategic priorities or support their business recovery from COVID.
Priority 1: Addressing inequality and social polarisation.
Creating apprenticeship opportunities for disadvantaged groups who live in Brent. This includes care leavers; NEETs; those with disabilities; long term unemployed.
Priority 2: To reduce poverty through employment and progression in work
Apprenticeships provide an opportunity to develop new skills, support career change or development within the workplace. Whether it is a new apprentice, current apprentice or existing member of staff, apprenticeships should clearly demonstrate progression. (E.g. progression of level for the individual). This can include progression from a Kickstart placement; support employees at risk of redundancy; or development of skills to a Higher or Degree Apprenticeship).
Priority 3: Enabling businesses and workers to benefit from growth
Apprenticeship creation from key employment sectors that are driving growth and development such as Creative, Digital, Green and Circular Economy and Food Preparation.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss your application prior to submission, please email ApprenticeshipLevy@brent.gov.uk or call 0208 937 6295.