Why the upskilling of prisoners and ex-offenders is vital for beating the skills crisis
Britain’s skills shortage could be eased by upskilling prisoners and ex-offenders, creating employment opportunities for those leaving the criminal justice system while filling critical workforce gaps exacerbated by Brexit and restricted migrant worker access.
Is the data literacy skills gap leaving the UK’s AI future hanging in the balance?
The UK faces a critical data literacy skills gap that could undermine its AI potential. While only 17% of UK workers are data literate, employers expect 69% of job candidates to have data science skills by 2021. Addressing this through better apprenticeship programs and workforce training is essential for Britain’s economic future.
Why We Need to Teach Students About Skilled Trades
Skilled trades offer a practical alternative to traditional college, providing lower education costs, strong earning potential, and immediate job market demand without years of debt or corporate climbing required.
A Guide to Building Successful Sales Pros
Learn to understand your sales team’s individual personalities and motivations, then train them to be proactive hunters rather than passive responders. These strategies help leaders develop high-performing sales professionals who drive revenue growth and succeed long-term.
How is the apprenticeship levy being adopted by the public sector?
The apprenticeship levy, introduced in April 2017, charges UK organisations with payrolls exceeding £3m an annual 0.5% levy to fund apprenticeships. Public sector bodies are accumulating significant funds but face complexity in utilising them before accounts expire after two years, requiring better support and understanding of procurement routes and evolving apprenticeship standards.
7 Traits You Need in Your Next Marketing Superstar
Finding top marketing talent requires looking beyond credentials. Seek marketers who are curious, adaptable, data-driven, customer-centric, collaborative, creative, and persistent—traits that enable them to thrive in a constantly evolving industry and deliver meaningful business results.
Is the Apprenticeship Levy killing apprenticeships?
The Apprenticeship Levy, introduced in May 2017, has failed to boost apprenticeship numbers despite its goal of developing world-class skills. Since launch, apprentice starts fell 59% initially and remain below pre-levy levels, with employers citing excessive bureaucracy, inflexible funding caps, and mandatory off-the-job training requirements as key barriers.
Apprenticeship Levy: why UK businesses are losing out on £1 billion in funds and how to turn this around
UK businesses are leaving over £1 billion in Apprenticeship Levy funds unspent due to complexity and rigid standards that don’t accommodate modern job types. Simplifying administration and broadening standards could unlock significant productivity gains and help organisations maximize this employer-led training opportunity.
The Apprenticeship Levy
The Apprenticeship Levy is a payroll tax charged to UK employers with a payroll of more than £3 million annually, designed to fund apprenticeship training and development across the country.
Why Company Training is Essential in The Long Run
Company training is essential for long-term growth, yet many organizations underinvest despite its proven benefits. Quality training improves employee engagement and productivity, ensures regulatory compliance, and creates an internal talent pool for promotion—ultimately reducing costs while strengthening organizational performance.
Mind the (skills) gap – getting the most from the Apprenticeship Levy
The UK apprenticeship levy, set at 0.5% of payroll for employers with annual wage bills over £3m, is designed to boost skills development and workforce productivity. Savvy organisations are now recognising it as an investment rather than a tax, with apprenticeships building both technical expertise and adaptable workplace capabilities.
Apprenticeship Numbers Continue to Fall
Apprenticeship numbers have fallen 27% in the latest quarter to 114,400, continuing a downward trend since the apprenticeship levy’s launch. Employers in retail, hospitality, and the public sector cite inflexibility and high costs as barriers, raising questions about whether policy reform is needed.
2018 Training Industry Benchmark Report Findings
The 2018 Training Industry Benchmark Report reveals key trends shaping professional training, including growth in online learning and apprenticeships, increased pressure to do more with fewer resources, and widespread concerns about GDPR’s impact on sales and marketing strategies.
The Apprenticeship Levy: making it work for your leadership needs
The UK’s Apprenticeship Levy requires large employers to invest 0.5% of payroll into apprenticeships training. Organizations can strategically use this funding to develop leadership skills across all levels and address the UK’s significant management talent gap.
Levy Chaos: Is Consultancy the Way to Go?
Many employers find the Apprenticeship Levy process complicated and time-consuming. Consultancy-based programs can simplify access to funding by guiding businesses through levy calculations, identifying training opportunities, and helping set up apprenticeship schemes tailored to their needs.
Apprenticeships – not just for carpenters?
Apprenticeships extend far beyond trades and manual skills—business-focused programs like Level 3 and Level 5 Leadership and Management apprenticeships can develop your managers and leaders while utilizing the Apprenticeship Levy. Many business owners remain unaware these qualifications exist for senior roles and team leaders.
The Apprenticeship Levy: where are all the apprentices?
UK apprenticeship numbers have dropped 26% year-over-year, falling further behind the government’s three million target. HR teams struggle with levy management capacity, while bureaucratic processes and lack of internal strategy hinder employer adoption of apprenticeships.
Why the apprenticeship levy means more for your seniors than juniors
The apprenticeship levy forces large employers to redirect L&D budgets across all staff levels, creating particular opportunities for senior employee development. Master’s level apprenticeships can address skills gaps in management and technical roles while supporting UK competitiveness in Industry 4.0 transformation.
Apprenticeship levy: reform is not the answer
The apprenticeship levy should not be reformed but strengthened, as it effectively addresses the UK’s critical skills shortage across all levels—from school leavers to experienced workers seeking advancement—while keeping apprenticeships employer-led and job-focused.
Your competitors will be using the Apprenticeship Levy – don’t get left behind
More businesses are capitalizing on the Apprenticeship Levy to upskill their workforce and boost productivity, according to recent survey data. Companies not yet participating risk falling behind competitors, with an estimated £1.2 billion in unclaimed funds expiring annually.