SKILLS


Update to the Apprenticeship Levy could be a game-changer


In a month that sees National Apprenticeship Week (5-12 March) take place, Jane Lowe (pictured), Head of Apprenticeships at the University of Derby, explains the latest Government changes to the Levy.


The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) has recently announced new guidance, which will allow Apprenticeship Levy- paying employers to transfer up to ten per cent of their annual apprenticeship service fund to other employers from April 2018. It is a game changer for


employers that perhaps need to address a skills gaps within their supply chain, which could ultimately be affecting their product or service offering. It’s also a way for them to support other employers and SMEs within their sector, but could also be a way for them to support charitable organisations or employers which contribute to the economy in their local area. There are no restrictions on who a company can transfer funds to,


providing the receiver is also registered on the apprenticeship service and has an apprenticeship service account. It could even be another levy-paying employer as long as they are not already sending a fund transfer themselves. Initially, the sending and


receiving employers will need to discuss the number and type of apprenticeships and agree which apprenticeships will be funded by the transfer. The funds must be used to pay


for the training and assessment of apprenticeship standards, and will be paid monthly for the duration of the apprenticeship, so it is important the sender understands they will be funding the total cost of the agreed apprenticeship and checks they have enough funds to


cover the full forecasted costs. It is also worth noting that ten


per cent of funds count as state aid for receivers, so they need to ensure they don’t exceed the maximum amount that an organisation can receive through a transfer of funds, which is €2m over three years. The University of Derby has a


dedicated team that can advise you on how apprenticeships can work for your business and provide guidance on how to set up transfers when the service launches in April. Degree apprenticeships have


opened up new career paths for current employees and new recruits, regardless of age, previous education or skill level, which not only improves staff engagement but will also affect retention positively.


Why businesses need to learn the language of Brexit


Chamber member Commercial Language Training looks at how learning a new language could be the best skill you acquire post-Brexit.


When Britain leaves the European Union in 2019 it will be the only European country where English is the official language, meaning it will be more isolated in terms of language - relying on the theory that English is a “global language”. As a nation we struggle to


encourage our citizens that speaking multiple languages will improve job prospects and open doors to new opportunities and for the past seven years, the number of UK students choosing to study foreign languages at


‘It seems certain that the need for new languages in the marketplace will rise’


university has been in decline. While our economy may remain


steady, it appears monolingualism will soon be a thing of the past. A recent Daily Telegraph article suggests “there is no doubt the UK needs more of our young people, not fewer, to develop their language skills to at least a functional level for trade and export. More than that, understanding another language


is the basis for understanding another culture – and an open mind and an international outlook have never been more important for the UK’s place in the world”. As a result of Brexit, some


businesses are considering relocation due to increasing overheads and licensing restrictions and it seems certain that the need for new languages in the marketplace will rise.


A number of major banks are


considering plans to move to mainland Europe with Dublin, Frankfurt and Amsterdam a few of the favoured locations for relocation, but we can surely not believe all business will continue to be done in English. UK employees planning on


moving with their company may need to learn the language of their new location to communicate with colleagues, integrate into their new community and ensure a smooth transition during the relocation.


business network March 2018 57


Having a mechanism that allows employers to support upskilling and training within the supply chain is a very positive step and should open up new opportunities for levy- paying companies. The degree apprentice route


provides a plausible alternative to finding talent and developing skills to meet the requirements of the business and increase motivation. There has never been a better time for employers, universities and Government to work together to have an impact on the economy.


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  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72