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Maximising ROI: Why Investing in Apprenticeships Makes Business Sense From safeguarding and leadership to corporate responsibility and adult care, apprenticeships are a powerful tool for driving growth, improving retention, and closing skills gaps across industries. At TLC, we specialise in tailored apprenticeship programmes designed to meet sector-specific needs — whether you're in education, care homes, local government, or the corporate sector. 🔹 Improve productivity 🔹 Retain top talent 🔹 Build future-ready teams Discover how apprenticeships can deliver measurable ROI for your organisation, while creating meaningful, lasting impact. 👉 https://lnkd.in/eNp5z4aj Let’s transform your workforce together. #Apprenticeships #WorkforceDevelopment #Leadership #Safeguarding #Sustainability #ROI #TLC

On 24th September, the Prime Minister announced plans to change apprenticeships to provide greater flexibility – in response, we had a great roundtable at the Engine Shed, with inputs from all aspects of the apprenticeship picture. James Ellis - Business Development Manager at Creative Alliance talked through their approach. They have a team of 30 people operating from Birmingham, and providing blended learning for the apprentices they support – 1:1 coaching, seminars and peer learning as well as training. It’s part of a “spiral staircase” approach, where each step for the individual leads to an opportunity. Lydia Thornton from Professional Apprenticeships talked through how apprenticeships can address issues of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, and are especially relevant in areas of defined deprivation such as South Bristol. Nick Young-Wolfe moved for the Creative Youth Network to set up MUTI Live – providing apprenticeships and Skills Bootcamps across a wide range of professions in the live arts & events sector, for people at all stages of their career. He made the point that most careers guides in schools and colleges simply don’t know about the type of jobs in the industry, and that apprenticeships are the only route into the industry that is not debt-laden. Infact, whilst apprenticeships may lead to university (or university-equivalent qualifications) whilst people are also earning a living, attending university shuts off access to apprenticeships! Rachel Drummond-Hay and Kibibi White from Drummer TV brought the industry perspective. Rachel pointed out that creative microbusiness need to have 18 months of funded business ahead in order to host an apprentice (something that could be helped by the “flexi-job” approach, with multiple hosts, but is very challenging to organise). Drummer have years of learning from a strong work-experience programme as the first step in the “staircase”, and take on apprentices from that talent pool because they can learn their craft in “the Drummer Way”, when many graduates have to “unlearn” their practices to make their way inside the industry. Carmela Carrubba from Real SFX is also a passionate advocate for apprenticeships. Headquartered in Cardiff but now setting up at The BottleYard Studios, they have adapted the Level 3 Creative Digital Media apprenticeship to include special effects. Bizarrely, this can be done with the Welsh CDM course, but not the one in England… They have an 80% retention rate for their apprentices. These are the people that are making apprenticeships work for our sector, and their companies are benefitting hugely.

♀ On International Women's Day 2024, we're delighted to share the story of Rachel Walker, Apprentice Accountant and her employer Richardsons Chartered Accountants, who are using OxLEP Skills' apprenticeship levy transfer to enrich the professional development of their staff. Through quality training, support and a diverse range of experiences, Richardsons fosters an environment where employees thrive. Rachel says: "Richardsons have been so supportive in aiding my learning and development. Everyone is so friendly and want you to be able to achieve your very best." Richardsons have worked closely with OxLEP Skills Apprenticeship Advisor Nikki Cooper, who has facilitated transfer of pledged apprenticeships levy funds from an Oxfordshire 'pot' of over £2.3M to support training and assessment of their apprentices. The OxLEP Skills apprenticeship scheme and levy transfer have had a significant positive impact on Richardsons: 🌟 Certainty and assurance: the ability to secure funding through the levy transfer provides the firm with certainty in planning and executing staff training programs, meaning that employees consistently receive top-tier training from esteemed training providers. 🌟 Benefits beyond cost savings: while the financial advantages are clear, the apprenticeship scheme has introduced additional benefits, including heightened awareness of developmental areas within the firm, which has fostered a conducive learning environment. 🌟 Essential role in staff development: quality and effective training facilitated by the apprenticeship levy has become a critical component of the firm’s employee development strategy, making it an indispensable aspect of nurturing talent. 🌟 Recruitment and retention: the ability to advertise substantial training as part of a role at Richardsons has had a positive impact on recruitment rates at the company. Not only has it helped with hiring but with staff retention too, helping to underpin staff loyalty and meaning staff turn over at the company is at an all time low. Read more at: https://lnkd.in/eWaGpbpj Thank you to Rachel, Alison Richardson and Jack Armstrong for sharing your experiences in this case study. If you would like to pledge or access apprenticeship levy funds in Oxfordshire, contact our Apprenticeship Advisors Nikki Cooper and Leah Bryan or email skills@oxfordshirelep.com. #iwd2024 #iwd2024womenleadingtheway #internationalwomensday #internationalwomensday2024 #iwd #womeninbusiness #womenatwork #inspireinclusion Sarah M. Sally Andreou Andrea Harrison Sarah Penn Richard Byard Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (OxLEP) OxLEP Business

Rolls-Royce SMR announced as winners in the 'Growth' category at the 5% Club Earn and Learn Awards.   In a prestigious ceremony at Mansion House, London, yesterday (5 December), The The 5% Club celebrated the award of new accredited membership alongside the announcement of the winners of the 2024 UK National Employer Earn & Learn Awards.   The event, attended by over 500 emerging talent leaders, celebrated 12 exceptional organisations that excelled in six award categories. These accolades, derived from the 5% Club’s rigorous Employer Audit research, highlight excellence in championing earn-and-learn opportunities across diverse sectors. This year, 229 organisations that achieved Platinum, Gold, Silver, or Bronze accreditation through the Employer Audit scheme were eligible for consideration.   Rolls-Royce SMR walked away with the award within the 'Growth' category for large employers. Clare Sandman (FCIPD) , Rolls-Royce SMR People Director, said: "To be nominated for this award was an honour but to win was such a remarkable achievement. The 5% Club really pushes the boundaries on what's possible in the 'earn and learn' space to offer apprentices and graduates more quality and formalised schemes in which to grow and develop their careers. While we are only at the start of our early careers proposition, we are delighted to be recognised in this way and look forward to growing and expanding our in-house schemes over the coming years."   The 5% Club’s Earn & Learn Awards represent the significant recognition for those organisations that champion apprenticeships, graduate schemes, and other Earn and Learn opportunities, fostering growth and excellence across the UK.

#AMPLIFYAPPS ROARS TO A MASSIVE SUCCESS The Apprenticeship Branding Conference - Amplify was a remarkable success, drawing over 250 attendees from diverse sectors eager to explore the future of apprenticeships. This landmark event provided a dynamic platform for industry leaders, educators, and apprenticeship advocates to engage in meaningful discussions about enhancing apprenticeship programs and branding strategies. A highlight of the conference was the inspiring keynote speech by Derek Redmond OLY., renowned British sprinter and motivational speaker. Redmond’s address captivated the audience as he shared his journey of resilience and determination. His personal anecdotes and motivational insights resonated deeply with attendees. Throughout the day, participants engaged in a series of interactive solution focused panel discussions, and networking sessions. Expert speakers from the world of apprenticeships provided valuable perspectives on how to leverage branding to attract and retain top talent in apprenticeship programmes. One of the conference’s key takeaways was the emphasis on collaboration between businesses, educational institutions, and government bodies to create robust apprenticeship pathways. Attendees had the opportunity to explore real-world case studies, gaining insights into successful apprenticeship models and best practices. The conference also featured an exhibition area where companies and organisations showcased their apprenticeship initiatives, offering a hands-on experience for attendees to learn about different programmes and opportunities. Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the event’s role in creating a collaborative environment and providing actionable insights. Many participants expressed their enthusiasm for implementing the strategies discussed at the conference within their organisations. The success of the Apprenticeship Branding Conference marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to elevate the perception and effectiveness of apprenticeship programmes As the conference concluded, there was a palpable sense of optimism and renewed commitment among attendees to champion the cause of apprenticeships, ensuring they remain a cornerstone of workforce development. ✈️ Headline Sponsor: British Airways 🍽️ Supporting Sponsor: Compass Group UK & Ireland ⚡️ Powered By: Pathway Group #Apprenticeships #Apprenticeship #TalentAcquisition #Conference #EarlyCareers Safaraz Ali FIEP Kasim Choudhry Jagdeep Soor FIEP Charlotte Bosworth Derek Redmond OLY. Martin Chandler Brad Edwards Kieren Buxton Susanna Lawson DipIoD Mel Richardson MBE (Nee Kose) Ricky L. Jan Richardson-Wilde Simon Ashworth Jane Knight FIEP Laura-Jane Rawlings MBE Santina Bunting Emily Rock (Austin) Alexia Williams Simon Lewis FIH Kirsty Adams Haris Javed Nichola Hay MBE Sharon Blyfield OBE Jenny Pelling Derrin Kent Pete Milsom Rebecca Hollamby Joseph Lennox CHA

'As a scaleup business, budget constraints can hinder your training needs, so utilising the OxLEP Skills apprenticeship levy transfer scheme has been ideal for us – a process with which OxLEP Skills’ advisors have provided invaluable support. They’ve really taken the time to understand our business requirements and made connections which align well with our values and mission.' We're delighted to share how rapidly growing software development company Navenio have benefited from an apprenticeship levy transfer facilitated by OxLEP Skills' Apprenticeship Advisors. The ability to access funding through the OxLEP Skills apprenticeship levy transfer scheme has had a transformative effect on the organisation, helping to improve productivity, performance and customer service and is an added selling point when recruiting. Rebecca Kyte Assoc CIPD, HR Manager at Navenio said: “Many of our existing team members will benefit from additional training to fully equip them for the increased volume of work due to business growth. As a smaller team we wouldn’t have had the capacity to manage the apprenticeship levy scheme ourselves, so having OxLEP Skills as a partner and utilising their expertise has been brilliant, we are most grateful.” Read more at https://lnkd.in/e9fPZdus If you're interested in pledging some of your organisation's apprenticeship levy, or accessing pledged funds, contact our Apprenticeship Advisors Nikki Cooper or Leah Bryan or email skills@oxfordshirelep.com. #apprenticeships #apprenticeshiplevy #levypledge #socialcontract Andrea Harrison Sarah M. Sarah Penn Cat Armstrong Sally Andreou

Latest from FE News: Connecting Education Providers and Local Businesses through Apprenticeships: Thanks to rapid development in technology, the road to employment is no longer constrained to the traditional university path. The type of work and type… Connecting Education Providers and Local Businesses through Apprenticeships was published on FE News by FE News Editor Read more here:

Workers who complete registered #apprenticeships earn an average of $300,000 more over their careers compared to peers who do not, making it a key strategy for improving job quality and creating access to family-sustaining jobs. At Irvine, our #BetterCareers initiative supports organizations offering equity-centered pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs, which includes the Institute for Local Government (ILG). For this year’s #NationalApprenticeshipWeek, ILG shared their perspectives on the importance of registered apprenticeship programs (RAPs) in the public sector, what progress looks like, and how private and public funders should support these programs. ILG shared: "Progress in public sector apprenticeships means seeing a steady, sustainable increase in skilled workers who come from their local communities and who are passionate and well-prepared to meet local government needs. We envision a future where local governments of every size and demographic across California have the tools they need to build robust, diverse apprenticeship programs that provide access to stable, well-paying careers."   Read on: https://irvine.ly/4eDKt2f 

Latest from FE News: Connecting Education Providers and Local Businesses through Apprenticeships: Thanks to rapid development in technology, the road to employment is no longer constrained to the traditional university path. The type of work and type… Connecting Education Providers and Local Businesses through Apprenticeships was published on FE News by FE News Editor #ExclusivetoFENews Read more here:

Want to learn how the Co-op is making the most of #ApprenticeshipLevy share services? 🤝📈 Check out this insightful article on FE News featuring Claire Costello, Co-op's Chief of People and Inclusion Officer. She shares valuable insights on levy sharing and discusses the Co-op's own Levy Share service. 🎓💡 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/dQWNGnfr Don't miss out on this opportunity to discover how your organisation can benefit from apprenticeship levy sharing! Out of interest, how do you share or engage with #ApprenticeshipLevyTransfers? 🌟 #Apprenticeships #ApprenticeshipLevy #LevyTransfer #LevySharingIsCaring