Lancashire firms urged to attend key briefing on Apprenticeship Levy

A Lancashire businesswoman has urged local firms to start preparing now for the introduction of the Government’s Apprenticeship Levy next year.

Joanne Pickering, Director of HR and Training for Lancashire-based Forbes Solicitors, says the levy, to be introduced in April 2017, has ‘significant implications for large Lancashire firms as well as offering fantastic opportunities’.

Large firms nationwide will automatically pay the levy while all businesses will be able to claim vouchers which could be worth up to £15,000 to support training and apprenticeships
Joanne is encouraging businesses to attend a free breakfast briefing for employers at Stanley House Hotel, near Blackburn, on 11 March.

She is among the speakers at the ‘Making Apprenticeships Work for Your Business’ event, which is a partnership event organised by the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and The Skills Funding Agency.

Joanne, who is deputy chair of the Lancashire Skills and Employment Board and an ambassador for National Apprenticeships, said: “The Lancashire Skills Hub and LEP want to make businesses aware of the levy. They need to start getting ready now and attending on 11 March is a good first step.

“The levy has significant implications for large Lancashire firms as well as offering fantastic opportunities to support business growth and help local young people get their foot on the career ladder.

“Many big businesses aren’t aware of the levy and could be in for surprise next April when the money is deducted.

“Businesses also have to be ready to make the most of money available for training and apprenticeships. We want businesses in Lancashire to get as bigger slice of this funding as possible.” 

Mrs Pickering said Forbes had been employing apprentices for 16 years and many current staff had started that way.

She said: “I am passionate about apprenticeships. If you invest in someone and their career, they bring loyalty to the organisation. I encourage every Lancashire employer to take them on."

The LEP is also investing £30m in Growth Deal capital funds in the facilities to provide hundreds more training and apprenticeship places in the county. Supporting more skilled workers in key sectors of the economy is an essential part of the LEP’s ambitious strategic programme to fuel economic growth in the county.

The breakfast event for Lancashire businesses is at Stanley House, Further Ln, Mellor, BB2 7NP runs from 8 – 10.15am on 11 March. To register, email [email protected]