Companies based within the Liverpool city boundary are being invited to apply for a slice of the authority’sApprenticeship Levy funding in a bid to grow the skills base. Tony McDonough reports

Liverpool City Council is offering a proportion of its Apprenticeship Levy to local firms in a bid to improve the city’s skills base.

Companies based within the city boundary are being invited to apply for a slice of the funding in a drive to create employment opportunities, increase the number of apprenticeships and create a skilled local workforce and a city ‘skills offer’ that better meets the needs of businesses.

There are more than 500 new apprenticeship qualifications covering a broad range of professions from level 2 (GCSE) to level 7 (masters) and many include professional qualifications and new skills and knowledge.

Cabinet member for education, employment and skills, Cllr Barbara Murray, said: “Liverpool is a growing city and it is vital local people get the opportunity to get on the employment ladder.

“This is a great opportunity for local firms to apply for funding to help them bring on board new talent so they can train the workforce of the future. Bringing new blood into an organisation brings fresh ideas and thinking and can really make a positive difference.”

The authority has outlined a number of conditions that must be met by firms applying for the funding:

• Employers must be based within the Liverpool city boundary.
• Apprentices must be a Liverpool city region resident (living in Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral).
• Apprentices must be paid at least national minimum wage.
• There must be an approved apprenticeship standard relevant for the role (frameworks are not included).
• The cost of the apprenticeship standard must be less than £15,000.
• The duration of the apprenticeship must be less than 24 months.

Receiving employers or organisations must be able to demonstrate how their apprenticeships will contribute to Liverpool City Council’s vision and aims set out in the Inclusive Growth Plan.

Paul Dixon, an apprentice with Liverpool City Council’s Film Office, added: “An apprenticeship is a great way to learn on the job and for me it has been absolutely life-changing. I’ve been an apprentice for almost two years now and feel confident about entering the world of work when it finishes.

“It has given me a real insight into the different roles on offer in the film industry and helped me set my sights on the future, and I plan to go freelance when my apprenticeship ends.”

Information regarding the full list of apprenticeship qualifications and local providers are listed on the Institute for Apprentices website. For more information and to apply, click here.