BPM Contracting Services is proud to have been awarded four fully funded apprenticeships through the West of England Training Partnership Network’s (WTPN) ‘Share to Support’ initiative.
The scheme enables small and medium enterprises (SMEs) like us to access unspent apprenticeship levy funds from large local organisations such as Bath and North East Somerset Council and other major employers in the region.
Managing Director, Chris Kille said “The apprenticeships helped tackle skills shortages by expanding our workforce with the next generation of tradespeople, which we couldn’t otherwise afford to train.”
The four apprentices funded through the scheme undertook training in carpentry, plastering, electrical installation and plumbing while gaining hands-on experience. These apprentices ranged from ages 16 to 24, including one female; which we hope demonstrates the diversity of opportunities available in the industry – something we are very keen to support.
How the ‘Share to Support’ scheme works:
- Large companies in the UK pay an apprenticeship levy but often have unspent funds in their apprenticeship service account.
- Under the scheme, these companies can choose to “share” or donate their surplus apprenticeship levy funds to a central pot.
- Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the West of England region, which do not pay the levy themselves, can then apply to access funds from this central pot.
- If approved, 100% of the training costs for the SME’s new apprentices will be covered by the shared levy funds, which means the SME pays nothing.
- The scheme is supported by the West of England Combined Authority, consisting of the local councils for Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, and surrounding areas.
