With too many restrictions on what they can be spent on, employers in England have lost over £4bn in unspent funds returned to the Treasury.
Employers are facing skills shortages. They have employees wanting to train and upskill. But the money firms could be using to join the dots between the two is being spent on what many feel is just another tax.
That’s the problem with the current Apprenticeship Levy.
Take the housing association that has plumbers who want to retrain as plasterers – it can’t use its levy funds, because that switch only requires 3-6 months training.
Or the recruitment firm that wants to focus on green skills – the levy won’t cover the cost of the 3-week intensive courses that would make a big difference to their staff and their outlook.
When a logistics firm can’t turn LGV/HGV drivers around quick enough – isn’t it madness to send staff on a 13-month apprenticeship, when they can complete other training in half the time?
And what about those with young families or caring responsibilities who can
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