South Gloucestershire Council Repledge to Share to Support Scheme🌱

The Western Training Provider Networks ‘Share to Support’ apprenticeship levy sharing scheme continues – applications open for small and medium sized businesses in South Gloucestershire to apply.

We are thrilled to announce the continuation of our highly successful apprenticeship levy share scheme, Share to Support.

The Share to Support scheme has gone from strength to strength after an initial pledge by Bristol City Council when the scheme began in January 2021. There are now 12 large employers gifting levy to the region including the University of Bristol, GKN Aerospace, South Gloucestershire Council, Ashton Gate, Bath and North East Somerset Council, Southern Cooperative, B&Q and the newest gifter, Clarke Willmott.

Businesses with a wage bill of over £3 million contribute to the apprenticeship levy. Many large employers have surplus levy, even after utilising the funds on their in-house apprenticeship schemes. Share to Support is the region’s apprenticeship levy share service, funded by the West of England Combined Authority and European Social Fund. The scheme allows large employers to gift their unspent levy by passing on a proportion to support job creation and progression opportunities in the region by funding training in smaller companies and avoiding the funds being sent back to Treasury. So far, the scheme has received over £3 million in pledges from larger businesses and has created over 200 apprenticeships in the region. We are delighted to witness the positive impact this scheme has had on both businesses and the local community, as it continues to empower individuals, boost employment prospects, and contribute to the overall growth and prosperity for our region.

“The Share to Support scheme repurposes unspent apprenticeship levy due to be returned to the treasury. Our gifting businesses proactively prioritise social value and the community by pledging levy to the scheme. Thanks to this civic generosity, charities, CICs, nurseries, care homes along with smaller businesses have been able to access apprenticeship training costs. I am delighted the Share to Support scheme is continuing. It is making a real difference to people’s lives, by improved personal prospects, by practical support for employers to take on apprentices and by building more appropriately skilled and resilient workforces across the region.” Jane Yorke, Apprenticeship Development Manager WTPN.

Following the announcement of the continuation, South Gloucestershire Council are delighted to confirm they will be continuing to pledge 20% of their unspent levy to the scheme and together with other generous levy gifters in the area, they are committed to supporting local businesses. We are now accepting applications for funding to help you recruit new talent or upskill your existing workforce via apprenticeships. Whether you have prior experience with apprenticeships, or are considering them for the first time, we can assist you by providing guidance through the process but ensuring the training costs are funded through a level transfer gifted from one of our South Gloucestershire large employers. Take advantage of this cost-effective way to ensure a skilled workforce.

Please contact Jane Yorke on jane.yorke@wtpn.org.uk if you would like to explore how your unspent apprenticeship levy can achieve more, or if you are a business looking to upskill your team or a new recruit through apprenticeships.