NEWS
BFA commits to the development of Training and Apprenticeships in 2017
A commitment to supporting and helping to develop UK Footwear manufacturers is at the heart of the British Footwear Association strategy for the New Year and beyond. 2017 will see the BFA focus on the provision of new footwear training programmes and other training led initiatives that will ensure your existing and future employees have access to the knowledge and skills they need to ensure the continued growth and success of the UK footwear sector.
The UK government is also committed to
significantly increasing the quantity and quality of apprenticeships in England and thus a new apprenticeship training levy will be introduced in April 2017, payable by all companies with payrolls of £3m per annum and above. The funds generated will be used to pay for accredited UK apprenticeship schemes. Smaller companies who do not pay the levy will also be able to apply for 90% funding from the government to access approved apprenticeships.
As representatives of the footwear industry, the BFA
continues to help coordinate the footwear Trailblazer group, made up of 17 key footwear manufacturing members, and is nearing completion of a new, industry lead, footwear apprenticeship standard. This will go to the government for sign off in the New Year to become the official Level 2 Shoemakers Apprenticeship. Importantly, this standard will be the only route recognised by the UK government for our core footwear manufacturing members to reclaim levy funds against high quality shoemaking apprenticeship training.
For non-manufacturing companies the BFA will
also assist in identifying other apprenticeships (e.g. in logistics, digital marketing, merchandising, management and leadership etc.) that are relevant to businesses and employees and that will be eligible for levy funding support.
As part of the process the BFA is also working to set
up a vital network of training providers and assessors to ensure the shoemaker standard is deliverable nationally and that the quality of attainment is measured to required, consistent accredited standards.
We understand that this is a complex area to
navigate for most companies and as such, the BFA is also committed to providing the level of knowledge, support and professional guidance you will require.
6 • FOOTWEAR TODAY • JANUARY 2017
www.footweartoday.co.uk John Saunders, CEO British Footwear Association.
The BFA Board of Directors is made up of representatives from across the footwear industry:
Daniel Gyves – Chairman of the Board – Daniel Gyves Consulting John Saunders – CEO BFA Daniel Rubin – Dune Group Mike Watson-Smith – Dr. Martens William Church – Cheaney Robert Perkins – Hotter Ken Gray – T&A Tim Cooper – Oliver Sweeney Vanessa Podmore - Burberry
To support you further, we will increase our in-house resource and specific expertise in this area as we move forward into 2017.
The provision of industry training is set to become a
key part of the UK economic strategy in 2017 and beyond. It has been shown that as a direct effect of providing relevant quality training and apprenticeships, companies become more attractive, employees are happier and more fulfilled and thus employers experience a tangible improvement in the products and services they supply.
The BFA and its Board of Directors will work with our
membership to invest in the future skills of the whole workforce and to provide the UK footwear industry with high quality career training.
Please contact John Saunders:
john.saunders@britishfootwearassociation,
co.uk if you have specific questions or require more information.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55
