Derby employers invited to explore benefits of Apprenticeships

Published: 2 February 2022

Mixed group of young people at a desk with a laptop smiling

Employers can apply for funding to help offset training costs for new apprentices of any age

City employers are getting a chance to find out how to make the most of Government funding to hire apprentices and bridge skills gaps.

Derby City Council has joined forces with the University of Derby, the Department of Work and Pensions, and the Derby College Group to deliver a free event designed to inspire local employers to explore the benefits of apprenticeships.

Get on Board with Apprenticeships! will be held on Tuesday 8 February from 4pm at the University of Derby’s Enterprise Centre, as part of this year’s National Apprenticeships Week.

National Apprenticeship Week, now in its 15th year, is an annual event to celebrate the positive impact apprenticeships have for individuals, businesses and the wider economy.

Apprenticeships are paid jobs which provide learning up to degree level. They are open to anyone aged 16 and over, and apprentices spend at least 20 per cent of their working hours in a learning environment.

While all employers are welcome to attend, the two-hour information event is particularly aimed at businesses based in Derby city and who are eligible for additional funding available from the Council’s Apprenticeship Levy Transfer Fund to offset training and assessment costs.

The event will give a comprehensive overview of the apprenticeship scheme, including the various financial incentives available and how to apply for them.

Employers who took part in the Government Kickstart Scheme can discover how to retain a Kickstart recruit by transitioning to an apprenticeship.

Local Apprenticeship training providers will be on hand to answer questions. There will also be a chance to hear directly from local employers about their experiences of successfully taking on an apprentice and the benefits this can bring.

Hot House Music, a not-for-profit music school whose former pupils have gone on to work with chart-toppers Lewis Capaldi and Noel Gallagher, has benefitted from the Council’s Apprenticeship Levy Transfer Fund.

Founder Jon Eno said:

We see apprentices as a long-term recruitment strategy and the funding support we received from the Council has enabled us to take on more apprentices. They gain hands-on training and get an opportunity to learn multiple skills in different areas of business. The organisation benefits from their enthusiasm and talent, which helps deliver growth.

Cllr Evonne Williams, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Skills at Derby City Council said:

As businesses prepare to meet future challenges, having the right skills in the workplace has never been more important. More and more employers are beginning to see apprenticeships as the way to build strong teams for the future.

There are financial incentives we can help with and I would encourage local employers to look at the ways in which apprenticeships can deliver the skills their workforce need to help their business grow.

Find out more or register at Get on Board with Apprenticeships!