With a significant change in apprenticeship funding, employers that do not pay the apprenticeship levy can now benefit from fully funded training for apprentices aged 16 to 21 (up to the funding band maximum). This development will enable employers to upskill their current workforce or recruit fresh talent to elevate their business and achieve their goals without incurring the training costs.  

Cheshire College- South & West, a leading training provider in Cheshire, calls on local businesses to utilise this fully funded training for apprenticeships across different sectors such as construction, education, health, professional services, etc. With a wide range of apprenticeship programmes and strong industry connections, the College is happy to support employers through the process of upskilling existing employees or integrating new apprentices into their workforce.  

The College offers expert guidance and tailored support to businesses, from identifying training needs of the employers to the recruitment and management of apprentices. The apprenticeship programmes are designed to fit around business operations, with flexible delivery methods including day release, block release, and even onsite training.  

Additionally, apprentices aged between 22 and 24 years old who have an Education, Health, and Care (EHC) plan and/or have been in the care of their local authority can also have their apprenticeship training costs fully funded. 

For employers that do not pay apprenticeship levy, the apprenticeship service accounts have all been updated to manage this change in funding automatically. Now is the best time for businesses to maximise the potential of this new funding to meet their business goals.  

Businesses interested in exploring these opportunities are encouraged to contact Cheshire College’s Apprenticeship Team to discuss their specific needs and find the right apprenticeship programme. Email: employers@ccsw.ac.uk or call 01244 656455.     

You can read more about apprenticeships here.