National Apprenticeship Hub Network’s Post

Our co-chairs Jodi Fair (Solent Business & Skills Solutions) and Katy Dorman (Apprenticeships Norfolk, Norfolk County Council) were pleased to be invited to a closed roundtable at Houses of Parliament yesterday, to offer continued support on behalf of our National Apprenticeship Hub Network and as partners in the Edge Foundation #ApprenticeshipsWork campaign. The campaign calls on the Government to take decisive action to help more SMEs.. specifically with five recommendations to increase opportunities for SMEs to access apprenticeships: ⭐️ Fund and expand SME apprenticeship brokerage services nationally - establish a coordinated, high-quality framework of local brokerage support to help SMEs navigate apprenticeship funding, regulation, and finding the right standards for their business. Ensure every SME, regardless of location, can access trusted, tailored guidance. This should learn lessons from existing brokerage services in the National Apprenticeship Hub Network . ⭐️ Protect and enhance financial incentives for SMEs - review and strengthen existing incentives, learning from local schemes that have increased participation, particularly for those employers who don’t pay the Apprenticeship Levy. ⭐️ Ringfence funding for SME apprenticeships within the Growth and Skills Levy - guarantee that resources for small businesses are safeguarded so that levy flexibility does not erode opportunities for young people at levels 2 and 3. ⭐️ Set clear national targets for SME apprenticeship growth - commit to a measurable increase in SME apprenticeship starts within national apprenticeship targets, ensuring that small businesses are recognised as a vital part of the system. ⭐️ Ensure SMEs have a stronger voice in the apprenticeship system - introduce participation incentives and wider data collection to strengthen SME input into trailblazer groups and apprenticeship design, ensuring that standards reflect the needs of smaller employers and local economies. Members: We are delighted to be hearing from Sorah Gluck at our hub meeting on Thursday - Sorah will unpack the campaign to date, providing opportunity for more hubs to individually join the campaign! 🙌🏼