WTPN host tech workshop at the Women Tech Hub ‘Tech Upskill’ event
On Friday 8th of November, WTPN team members Jane Deane and Katie Green led an Apprenticeship Tech workshop titled ‘Apprenticeships for your Business’ aimed at supporting SME’s in the Tech sector. This was a fantastic opportunity to share our expert knowledge of Apprenticeships, particularly with business owners and staff looking to advance within the Tech Sector, highlighting how apprenticeships can drive growth and development for SMEs.
The WTPN workshop had three key goals:
1) Understanding the social and economic benefits that apprenticeships can bring to your business and staff
2) Understand available funding for SME’s via the Levy Share to cover the training costs of an Apprenticeship.
3) Understand how to navigate Apprenticeship standards and how they can be used to recruit fresh talent or upskill existing staff.
Jane Deane talked through the different and numerous benefits of apprenticeships, considering both the employer and apprentice perspective and highlighting the fresh outlook that they can bring into a team as well as the Government incentives available.
Jane explained “The Apprenticeships & your Business” cycle highlighting the positive impact apprentices have at all stages of their journey. Illustrating how apprentices bring both short term and long term benefits provided they are able to put the resources required in.
Jane then addressed common myths and misconceptions around Apprenticeships. Tackling a variety of concerns that employers have, such as low return on investment or apprentice’s contribution in the early stages. Jane highlighted the reality of Apprenticeships for small to medium businesses, providing a more positive outlook for employers in the room. Myths such as age requirements and Apprenticeships being only for the construction industry were debunked.
To conclude, Jane gave an overview of WTPN’s Employer Apprenticeship Service for SMEs in the West of England region, outlining the six straightforward steps we use to help SMEs successfully integrate apprenticeships into their businesses.
If you're interested in hiring an apprentice for your small to medium sized business, then get in touch with our team here:
The second half, led by Katie, delved into the Apprenticeship Levy Share system and the benefits it can have for businesses in the West of England Region. Explaining what Levy share is, what it does, how it works and the different ways of accessing it, including the WTPN’s Share to Support Scheme.
An interview with Hobbs Bakery, which secured £98,000 in funding, was presented. It highlighted the positive impact that shared Levy Funds can have on small and medium-sized businesses in the region. For Hobbs, this funding enabled the creation of over 13 Apprenticeship opportunities that would have otherwise not been possible.
In summary, we were able to demonstrate how apprenticeships can support businesses to develop skilled employees, address talent gaps, and encourage innovation. They benefit both employers and the wider community while shaping the future workforce.
The attendees in the room had the following positive feedback about the session:
"There is a lot more support for SME’s then you’ll expect, more opportunity for funding and upskilling your workforce" – Thanh, Future Space
"Apprenticeships are more accessible then I previously thought and there are more creative ways to fund apprenticeships that companies should take advantage of" – Michael, Mastered Studios
Thank you to everyone who attended our workshop and thank you to Women in Tech Hub for inviting us to take part in the event!
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