£2m boost to Apprenticeships in Norfolk funded by levy transfer scheme

More than 200 apprentices have been able to start at businesses and organisations across Norfolk thanks to a scheme that has transferred £2.2 million to where it is most needed.

Apprenticeships Norfolk's Levy Support Scheme enables unspent funds, which would otherwise be returned to HM Treasury, to be transferred to employers that can use them to fund apprenticeships, for new or existing staff. 

Aviva, BBC and the University of East Anglia (UEA) are just some of the organisations to transfer their unspent levy to the Apprenticeships Norfolk programme, which, in its second financial year has reached its £2 million milestone in transfers. 

Councillor Fabian Eagle, cabinet member for economic growth at Norfolk County Council, said:  

"So many businesses in our region need support with recruiting apprentices and developing the skills of their employees and the Levy Support Scheme has proved to be an excellent way of doing that. This money would otherwise be returned to the Treasury, but this allows us to keep it in and benefit Norfolk." 

Case Study

Nadine Macintyre, an Apprentice Teacher at The Free School Norwich who started her career as a Teaching Assistant, had the cost of her training funded after the school received levy from Ordnance Survey. Going back into training has been a new experience for Nadine, but the move has proved a positive one. Nadine said: 

"When I saw the apprenticeship opportunity I was over the moon because it meant I could stay and do what I wanted to do at the same time, which is the best of both worlds, really. No matter your age or point in life, you can keep moving forward, which I think is fantastic." 

Principal Darren Webster said Nadine's apprenticeship would not have been possible without the scheme. He said:  

"In terms of the funding that we budget for, for staff training and development, the apprenticeship training cost would have taken up all that budget in one go. 

"The Levy Support Scheme has enabled us to receive a transfer of money that is not part of the school budget which we could then use to support Nadine to continue her professional development. It has also fed into the professional development that we have had as staff as well because it enabled other members to go out while Nadine is teaching." 

Elsewhere, the UEA has supported more than 20 apprentices by sharing its levy with businesses across a wide range of sectors, including education and childcare, adult care, electrical and architecture. 

Nick Green, Head of Employee Apprenticeships and Early Careers at UEA, said:  

"We are proud to donate UEA levy funds to support the Norfolk Levy Support Scheme. This is closely aligned to our Civic Charter, as the University is helping to support the recruitment of apprentices and the development of local skills in the region. So far in 2024, we have agreed to fund 21 apprenticeships from a wide range of small to medium organisations in industries that include care homes, retail businesses, agriculture and children's nurseries." 

Step Teachers has used the scheme to strengthen its own sector by supporting education and childcare apprenticeships with its unspent levy. 

Kim Shellock, Regional Manager of Step Teachers said:  

"Working with the Apprenticeships Norfolk Levy Support team has allowed Step Teachers to make a direct contribution to the growth and development of the staff within the sector we work in. 

"The process of donating your levy is smooth, uncomplicated, and personalised. The team listens and seeks to understand your company's values and mission so that they can find apprenticeship opportunities that align with them. For Step Teachers, this has meant the opportunity to work with candidates looking to advance their careers in education, and we've had a direct impact on schools that are seeking aspiring teachers to enhance the education sector. 

"Step Teachers is proud to work with the team to support this initiative and will continue to donate our unused levy for as long we can to support the sector that we work within." 

To find out more about the Levy Support Scheme, you can visit the Apprenticeships Norfolk website or contact the team at apprenticeships@norfolk.gov.uk or on 0344 800 8024.