Council scheme can help employers take on apprentices

Derby City Council is urging businesses to sign up to a scheme which can help them take on apprentices.

To help firms recruit apprentices, the city council is transferring 25% of the apprenticeship levy to employers looking to recruit apprentices or upskill their existing workforce.

To coincide with National Apprenticeship Week this week, it is encouraging firms interested in signing up to the Derby City Council Levy Transfer Scheme to get in touch.

Among the firms which currently have an apprentice as part of the scheme is visual marketing agency Briight.

Co-founder Rob Dawes said: “At Briight we have long championed the power of apprenticeships.

“We see firsthand how it creates a future where apprentices like our apprentice, Jess, can develop and shine as outstanding marketing professionals.

“Five years later, and with the support of Derby City Council and the Apprenticeship Levy transfer scheme, Jess, who is a beacon of apprenticeship success, has returned to apprenticeships to take her skills even further.

“Our advice to other businesses is to embrace apprenticeships as the cornerstone of a future where continuous learning and dynamic development are not just ideals, but the very pulse of business vitality.”

Another firm that has benefited from the scheme is L.E.A.D. IT Services.

Founder Lee Jepson said: “A main driving factor of our growth has been down to our commitment to invest into our young people and give them opportunities to thrive within a sector they want to get into.

“Over the years, over 10 apprentices have been with us and continued into a full-time 1st Line Technician or Field Engineer roles.

“We also pride ourselves on encouraging women to get into IT with 45% of our workforce being female it has worked very well. We look forward to employing more apprentices this year and taking them on the journey.”

Councillor John Whitby, the city council’s cabinet member for children’s social care, learning and skills,  said: “Having an apprentice as part of your business can be extremely rewarding for both you and the apprentice.

“By becoming an apprentice, you can have fantastic career opportunities presented to you all while earning essential qualifications.

“These apprenticeships can also lead straight into a permanent position so you can continue developing your career at the same business you completed your apprenticeship at.”

Businesses interested in signing up to the Derby City Council Levy Transfer Scheme can visit https://www.derby.gov.uk/business/business-support-advice/apprenticeship-levy-transfer/#page-1 or e-mail pratibha.hindocha@derby.gov.uk.