Staff and businesses in Suffolk are set to benefit from new apprenticeship opportunities, with extra support now available to help employers recruit and upskill their workforce.
The expanded Levy Support Scheme allows large employers which pay the apprenticeship levy to transfer levy funds to other businesses. This reduces or removes apprenticeship training costs - opening the door to new recruitment and training opportunities.
Suffolk County Council is working in partnership with Apprenticeships Norfolk to build on the proven success of their Levy Support Scheme, which has seen more than £6 million transferred to over 280 businesses, supporting nearly 660 apprenticeship starts across Norfolk.
Funding being pledged by employers will directly support local economic growth and strengthen supply chains, helping employers invest in the local skills they need.
Cllr Vicky Armstrong, Suffolk County Council’s cabinet member for finance, economic development and efficiency, said:
“Suffolk residents should have access to good employment opportunities close to home.
“This is a fair and commonsense approach that will make better use of existing funding, help more local people start or progress in their careers and support the businesses that make our communities strong.”
The scheme is backed by Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, local further and higher education providers, and a wide network of employers committed to strengthening the county’s skills pipeline.
Several major employers, including East Coast College and Suffolk County Council, have already pledged or are in the process of pledging unused levy funding as part of the scheme.
Micro‑businesses and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), who make up the majority of Suffolk’s economy, stand to benefit the most, with levy transfers helping to remove financial barriers to training.
The funding will help staff take on higher‑level training and gain professional qualifications that might otherwise have been out of reach.
Employers benefiting from the Norfolk scheme report that this has strengthened skills within their teams and improved staff retention.
Leanne Gittins, member of the Suffolk Business Board, said:
“Developing a highly skilled workforce is central to Suffolk’s long‑term economic ambitions.
“This established and successful scheme brings employers and training providers together in a practical, low-risk way, opening up more apprenticeship opportunities and helping local people gain the skills needed for the jobs of today and tomorrow.”
Businesses interested in pledging unused levy funding can find further information through the Levy Support Scheme on the Apprenticeships Norfolk website.
Suffolk businesses seeking advice on apprenticeships and skills support can contact the Apprenticeships Suffolk Team at apprenticeships@suffolk.gov.uk
