Ingatestone, Fryerning

find new and interesting walks?

Essex Apprenticeship Levy Transfer Service (EALTS) and the newly launched Essex Apprenticeship Hub are asking large businesses to pledge to create 300 apprenticeship opportunities in 2023. This follows a successful year, during which the service supported 240 apprenticeships. This exceeds its pledge to create 100 opportunities between March and December.

The EALTS enables large Essex-based businesses to donate up to 25% of their apprenticeship levy to a smaller business. Smaller organisations can sign up to the service, set their objectives and be matched with a larger business. Both businesses are supported by a team of advisors, who will provide practical guidance.

The apprenticeship levy is a tax paid by employers to help fund apprenticeship training costs. The EALTS helps larger employers avoid returning unspent levy to government.

Since the service was launched, it has attracted pledges from organisations like Timpson and the Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust.

Find out more about donating your unused apprenticeship levy or receiving a transfer online via www.essexalts.co.uk

Read more about Essex apprenticeships on the Apprenticeship Hub via www.essexopportunities.co.uk/ apprenticeship-hub

Time to get walking again!

With Spring on its way, we start to think about getting out to walk in the beautiful English countryside again, but where to

Walking in Essex www.walkinginengland. co.uk/essex has loads of walks to download and print, free, it also has books of walks, details of all the walking groups in the county and much more. Whether you want to walk on your own or with a group all the information is there in one place. John Harris (who maintains the website) said ‘There is so much walking information on the web but it is difficult to find. Walking in Essex (part of the Walking in England website) has brought it together in one place so whether you are walking from home, or away on holiday, you will be able to find a walk suitable for you’.

With walks from half a mile to twelve miles plus long, and a note of suitability for pushchairs and wheelchairs, everyone can find a walk to enjoy. So, home or away, check out the websites and get walking!

John Harris www.walkinginengland.co.uk john@walkinginengland.co.uk

Recommendations for children’s mental health

A new report is available which outlines recommended improvements for children’s mental health.

Work took place in 2022 by a Mental Health Services for Young People Task and Finish Group. It comes following a motion put forward at the Essex County Full Council meeting which expressed the need to review the current challenges young people face. The group considered different evidence during their review. This included the impact of the pandemic, funding and the importance of early support.

There is already positive work happening across the county in this area. However, the evidence highlighted some common areas of improvement needed across Essex. It also demonstrated how central government, local authorities and health services need to work together to address them.

Read the full recommendations report online via www.essex.gov.uk/news/ recommendations-for-childrens-mentalhealth

Multiply in Essex with Essex County Council

If you run a local business, we can also support you with free, tailored courses to upskill your employees. Find out more and sign-up to a course today via www.essexopportunities.co.uk/multiply

Fully funded 1-2-1 support for Brentwood businesses

Brentwood Borough Council and Colbea have joined forces to provide local organisations with access to a wide range of business support, advice and guidance to tackle current challenges and build on new opportunities. This support scheme is fully funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and includes access to:

General business consultancy –One-to-one sessions can be used to discuss any general business topic, from business planning to grant funding. This support is accessible for businesses of any stage (including pre-starts and start-ups), size and sector.

We use maths every day without even realising. From helping children with their schoolwork, to cooking or as part of our job, maths is part of our daily lives. For lots of us though, maths might feel like a daunting subject. Multiply in Essex is a new programme aiming to change that.

If you are 19 and over, you can now access free maths courses across Essex. The courses will help to boost your confidence and gain a maths qualification up to NVQ2 (GCSE at grade 4 to 9 or A*to C). This can not only help you gain higher qualifications; it can enable you take advantage of new job opportunities and progress in your career. Courses are flexible and available at different venues across the county.

Specialist business carbon reduction consultancy –With increased energy costs and climate challenges, businesses are seeking to reduce their carbon footprint and become more sustainable. Colbea’s free expert one-to-one low carbon advice is delivered by Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) consultants who can help businesses identify areas to make improvements that will not only save money but also support the environment.

Spaces are limited and available on a first come, first serve basis until 31st March. To sign up for this free business support, please contact Colbea directly via phone, email or their online contact form.

Phone: 01206 548833

Email: enquiries@colbea.co.uk

Online: colbea.co.uk/contact-us-colbea