Recently published figures show that Bexley is the most successful borough in London for spending its apprenticeship levy to provide jobs and training for local people.
Bexley spent £343,000 on apprenticeships from May 2017 to May 2019. This was 43.4% of the apprenticeship levy it paid to the government and it expects to spend all the levy within the 24 months allowed.
“Helping our young people into good jobs is important to us and I am pleased to be able to share this news during Apprenticeship Week,” said Bexley’s Cabinet Member for Resources, Cllr David Leaf. “We currently have 85 apprentices in the Council, working on everything from communications, to regeneration, to finance and community safety. There are many other excellent employers in the borough who do the same.”
Every large employer must pay the apprenticeship levy. The levy contribution is 0.5% of salary costs. Bexley makes spending all its levy a priority and makes some available to its local partners and service providers.
The aim of the levy is to encourage employers to support the employment of new apprentices and the upskilling of existing employees with the skills, knowledge and behaviours required in today’s workforce. Unspent levy is claimed by the government.
Last month Bexley was officially named as the most successful London borough for under-19 apprenticeship starts in 2019, when 570 young people in the borough started a new career.
During Apprenticeship Week Bexley hosted its annual apprenticeship event at the Civic Offices. Over 1,300 young people registered to attend. It gave people from across the borough the opportunity to talk to 51 providers, including colleges, employers and trainers, and to find out if an apprenticeship is right for them. Record numbers of young people were able to talk to 51 providers, including colleges, employees and trainers.
If you would like to find out more about apprenticeships available in the borough visit www.apprenticeships.gov.uk