Black Country LEP to host event for local employers.
The Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership and Black Country Skills Factory are joining forces with the Skills Funding Agency to highlight to employers the benefits of the new apprenticeship trailblazer frameworks and apprenticeship levy. The breakfast event, which starts at 7.45am, will take place at the Village Hotel in Dudley on 2 March 2016.
Apprenticeship specialists from the Black Country and the SFA will outline the changes to apprenticeships as well as host a Q&A session for Black Country employers keen to make the most out of the forthcoming Government changes. Attendees will also hear first-hand from Black Country apprentice employers about the benefits apprenticeships have brought to their businesses.
Designed by employers, for employers, the new trailblazer standards aim to make them more relevant to existing and new employers, increasing the quality of apprenticeships. The new employer-designed standards will be short and easy to understand focusing on the knowledge, skills and behaviour an apprentice needs to progress in their chosen occupation.
At the breakfast employers will also learn more about the apprenticeship levy which comes into force in April 2017. The new levy of 0.5% on company payrolls will raise £3bn and fund three million apprenticeships by 2020.
Stewart Towe, Chairman of the BCLEP said: “This breakfast event is a great opportunity for employers to bring themselves up-to-date on apprenticeships and hear first-hand the benefits apprenticeships can have for their business. Working with the Skills Funding Agency to deliver this session means we can be sure that we are providing employers across the Black Country with the specialist information they need to manage existing, or start new, apprenticeships.”
Dan Baker from the Skills Funding Agency added: “We are keen to make sure as many businesses as possible understand the changes to and increased benefits of apprenticeships. We are delighted to be working in partnership with the Black Country LEP and local employers already making the most out of apprenticeships to ensure we share up-to-date advice and guidance across all business sectors.”
The breakfast takes place on 2 nd March 2016 at the Village Hotel in Dudley from 7.45am–9.30am and is free to attend for employers from any sector of the Black Country. For more information visit www.blackcountrylep.co.uk/events or call 01384 471163/email bookings@blackcountryskillsfactory.co.uk to book your place.