Published on 03/06/2021
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Apprentice Aston University WMCA

 

•     Aston University has pledged £120,000 for three years as part of West Midlands Combined Authority Apprenticeship Levy Transfer Fund

•     Money will fund apprenticeship training in SMEs to help boost economic recovery from COVID-19

•     Fund keeps levy money in West Midlands, increasing job opportunities for young people and adults

Aston University has pledged support of £120,000 for the next three years out of its Apprenticeship Levy as part of a scheme set up by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) to fund apprenticeship training for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs).

The Apprenticeship Levy Transfer Fund enables large employers to pledge their unspent levy to fund the training of apprentices at SMEs in the West Midlands – boosting the region’s economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.

The fund keeps levy money within the West Midlands, boosting skills, job opportunities and productivity by supporting more young people and adults of all ages into work.

The WMCA uses its strong local knowledge and relationships to identify large employers that can donate unspent levy to SMEs through the Apprenticeship Levy Transfer Fund, covering 100% of their apprenticeship training and assessment costs.

Beth Lloyd, associate director of organisational development at Aston University, said: “Aston University is committed to growing local talent and supporting business growth.

“Working with the WMCA to increase the number of apprenticeships at SMEs and to address skills gaps in the region is an important part of our support to drive economic recovery in the West Midlands.”

Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands, added: “Everyone should have access to high-quality long-term employment opportunities, and I am determined to make that happen. The Apprenticeship Levy Transfer Fund is a great example of how we are supporting local SMEs as part of our region’s economic recovery from COVID-19.

“The success of the fund depends on contributions from big employers, so I’d like to thank Aston University for contributing to the scheme.

“This is helping us to create new job opportunities at companies who may otherwise have been unable to hire apprentices, and to equip local people with the skills employers need - both now and in the future. This applies particularly to young people, who we know have been hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic.

“I would urge other large employers in the West Midlands that haven’t spent all their apprenticeship levy, or SMEs thinking about taking on new apprentices, to get in touch with us and find out how we can help you get people into work.”

For further information about the scheme visit this link.

 

Notes to editors

About Aston University

Founded in 1895 and a University since 1966, Aston is a long established university led by its three main beneficiaries – students, business and the professions, and our region and society. Aston University is located in Birmingham and at the heart of a vibrant city and the campus houses all the university’s academic, social and accommodation facilities for our students. Professor Alec Cameron is the Vice-Chancellor & Chief Executive.

Aston University was named University of the Year 2020 by The Guardian and the University’s full time MBA programme has been ranked in the top 100 in the world in the Economist MBA 2021 ranking. The Aston MBA has been ranked 12th in the UK and 85th in the world. The University also has TEF Gold status in the Teaching Excellence Framework. 

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