SKILLS
SKILLS FOCUS SPONSOREDBYTHESOURCESKILLSACADEMY
THE SOURCE IS BACKING NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK 2021 - FEB 8-15 The Source Skills Academy in Sheffield is passionate about bringing out the best in people. It has been helping businesses to increase the talents of their teams since 2003 and is proud to sponsor Skills Focus, a monthly spotlight on training and apprenticeship news and funding to help you develop your staff.
APPRENTICES CAN FUTURE-PROOF YOUR BUSINESS Businesses are being urged to invest in apprenticeships to steer out of the pandemic downturn and build resilience for the future. The Source Skills Academy is backing the forthcoming National Apprenticeship Week’s Build The Future motto and calling on employers to celebrate the positive impact apprentices have had on their workforces during the pandemic. The 14th annual celebration of apprenticeships runs from February 8-15. Being staged virtually, it will push the message that
apprenticeships not only help individuals build career skills, they also strengthen businesses. Minister for Apprenticeships and Skills Gillian Keegan said: “It’s been a tough year for everyone, but we want National Apprenticeship Week 2021 to be a springboard to looking ahead. Apprenticeships can futureproof workforces and boost careers.” Dale Robinson, head of business development at The Source commented: “The biggest assets to businesses today are skills and flexibility, which is exactly what young apprentices offer. “We have heard many times
from businesses we work with that their apprentices helped them to adapt during 2020, give strong return on investment and are a crucial part of their plans for 2021." The Source, which has not-forprofit charitable status, has had more than 2,220 applications from would-be apprentices since April 2020 and has
successfully placed more than 200 apprentices in the last 12 months. It is urging businesses to provide more vacancies. For information on apprenticeships, contact Kerry Cook at The Source on 07584 391445 kerry.cook@ thesourceacademy.co.uk
APPRENTICES - WORTH THE INVESTMENT Businesses struggling to recruit the skills they need can develop skills in-house through apprenticeships. Apprentices learn on the job and can be moulded into skilled employees who follow your processes and company culture. They bring new energy, ideas and enthusiasm, which boosts morale and increases
24
productivity right across the business. The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) says companies report huge financial returns on their investment in apprenticeships. For every pound invested in a level 2 apprenticeship, £26 was returned. This increased to £28 for level 3 apprenticeships.
Apprentices are more likely to stay with you - 80 per cent of companies with apprentices reported a significant increase in employee retention. Businesses with annual wage bills of more than £3 million pay the apprenticeship levy and have funds sat in their Apprenticeship Service account for training. Funds only stay in
your account for 24 months, so ‘use it or lose it’. All companies employing new apprentices before March 31 can access up to £2,000 per recruit via the Apprenticeships Incentive Grant. The money does not have to be paid back and is additional to the ongoing £1,000 grant employers receive for hiring an apprentice.
unLTDBUSINESS.COM
