“As local businesses are the backbone of the UK economy, Local Business Week was set up to celebrate and advise local enterprises to maximise their potential.”
We support local businesses
Throughout the pandemic, we have continued to support employers to recognise business needs and skills gaps through our new blended delivery model. We complete an initial analysis to determine where there might be a need for training and development within your business. Hiring apprentices or retraining staff through apprenticeships can improve overall staff satisfaction and retention because they feel that you are investing in them and their future with the company.
For more information visit our Employer page or contact our Business Development team.
Incentives & funding available
Employers will receive £3,000 for new employees of any age who start their apprenticeship from 1 April 2021 to 30 September 2021. The incentive payment is in addition to the £1,000 employers already receive for hiring an apprentice:
- aged 16 to 18 years old
- under 25 with an education, health and care plan or who has been in the care of their local authority
This means that some employers could receive £4000 per apprentice.
Did you know you can also use Apprenticeship funding to train your existing workforce? We have a range of apprenticeship standards that can support you to develop and upskill your team. Offering training to your employees increases morale and their loyalty to you as an employer. Therefore, retraining staff through apprenticeships can improve overall staff satisfaction and retention because they feel that you are investing in them and their future with the company.
The Essex Apprenticeship Levy Transfer Service
Essex County Council are striving to increase apprenticeships within the county. To provide quality opportunities for learning and development to strengthen the Essex economy. The Essex Apprenticeship Levy Transfer Service will allow levy donors to utilise unspent levy to support the apprenticeship training costs for smaller businesses. This will lead to increased learning and training opportunities for residents, and long-term benefits for levy donors and recipients.
To find out how to pledge unspent levy or request funding please contact us on levytransfers@essex.gov.uk
Employer and Apprenticeship news & stories
We have created a news section that includes a range of success stories and interviews from apprentices and business that we are currently working with.