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Apprentices are growing their careers while business leaders invest in their people, supported by an apprenticeship levy transfer scheme run by Æß²ÊÖ±²¥ Leicester (Æß²ÊÖ±²¥).

So far the university has transferred more than £600,000 supporting over 40 companies to take on apprentices or upskill existing staff onto programmes that help them address skills gaps, support business growth and widen access to high quality training.

Æß²ÊÖ±²¥ prioritises organisations based in Leicestershire and the East Midlands, particularly those aligned with regional growth priorities such as digital, health, tourism and hospitality, and businesses committed to sustainability and widening participation.

By transferring a portion of its unused apprenticeship levy, Æß²ÊÖ±²¥ enables small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to fund apprenticeship training they may otherwise struggle to afford, supporting roles across priority sectors including digital, leadership and management, professional services, and health.

The university is one of the few large employers offering public sector levy transfer funding and will reopen applications when its levy allowance resets in April.  

During National Apprenticeship Week this week, Æß²ÊÖ±²¥ caught up with two employers who have benefited from the programme which aims to ensure levy funding is reinvested locally to support inclusive economic growth.

For Kidscape, in Hinckley, the scheme has created new opportunities for staff who had not previously considered higher-level study.

“It’s given me the opportunity to develop my staff,” said Kerry from Kidscape. “Some of our team came into early years later in life and never went to university. One member of staff is now doing a Level 3 apprenticeship and stepped into a management role in her first year. For her, it means the world. It’s been a phenomenal opportunity.”

Kidscape employs 47 staff and delivers before- and after-school provision as well as pre-school services, with apprenticeships supporting progression from within the organisation.

At London Road Hearing Centre, Leicester, levy support has enabled the business to invest in professional development while keeping training local.

“We found out we were eligible for the programme and set up a local learner, and Æß²ÊÖ±²¥ took it from there,” said director Nathan Marshall. “One of our employees started the Hearing Aid Dispenser apprenticeship at Æß²ÊÖ±²¥ in October. She’s doing really well, enjoying the study, and it’s helping her take the next step in her career.”

The family-run business employs 10 people and is using apprenticeships to build skills and support long-term growth.

Employers receiving levy support can choose any approved training provider, including Æß²ÊÖ±²¥, which delivers Higher and Degree Apprenticeships in areas such as leadership and management, digital and data, and public services.

Applications for the next round of levy transfer funding will open in April.

Fay McInnes, staff development and apprenticeship specialist said: “We know many small businesses want to invest in their staff but face real financial barriers. Our Levy Transfer allows us to share our unused funds with organisations across Leicestershire and the East Midlands, helping them access funded apprenticeship training, grow their teams and build the skills our region needs for the future.”  

Introduced by Government in 2017, the apprenticeship levy requires organisations with an annual payroll of more than £3 million to contribute 0.5 per cent of their wage bill towards apprenticeship training. Where levy funds are not fully used, they can be transferred to other employers to support skills development.