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Levy-paying employers can register with the Digital Apprenticeship Service (DAS) to set up their digital account, from January 2017. It is up to the employer to work out how much they will need to pay to HMRC on a monthly basis through PAYE (minus the £15k allowance) and at present you will have 24 months to spend that annual levy. Through the digital account, employers will be able to redeem their entitlement to pay for apprentice training and access information about appropriate apprenticeship training courses and providers. Concerns on how this will all work are echoed by


both small and large businesses across the South West; a lack of clarity on the new standards that will eventually replace the old frameworks, cost of training and administrating the levy and how the digital account for levy employers will work.


The employer must work out how much to pay to HMRC


FEATURES But let’s see this as an opportunity. From April 2017,


new funding, more Government investment and new standards for apprenticeships will be there for everyone to benefit from. Non-levy payers will get 90% of the apprentice training paid for by Government (at present) and 100% paid for with additional incentives when employing someone under the age of 19. And, for levy paying companies, the money in the 'levy account' can be used on apprenticeship training not only for new staff but also for Continued Professional Development for existing staff – up to higher degree apprenticeships. The region is gearing up to be a beacon of best


practice in apprenticeship delivery. The West of England LEP has a grand apprenticeship ambition, and the region has an active local Employers Apprenticeship Ambassadors Network. As an employer, you can become more involved by helping shape delivery of apprenticeships through the new standards to ensure training meets employers needs or raising awareness of the opportunities your business might offer potential apprentices.


Get in touch We are keen to ensure that all of our businesses, and particularly those already working with apprentices or with high salary bills, are ready for the change and get the most from the apprenticeship reforms. Visit www.estimate-my-apprenticeship- funding.sfa.bis.gov.uk to check if you will be liable to pay the levy. We would also like to hear from you if you stand to be affected by the levy and hear your thoughts.


If you are a business in either Bristol, Bath, North Somerset or South Gloucestershire our new free ‘Skills West’ skills support service will be able to offer you impartial advice and guidance. Get in touch with us at skillswest@businesswest.co.uk or email: Nicky.Williams@businesswest.co.uk


JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 insight 21


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