Apprenticeship levy details to be released tomorrow

Long-awaited information on the apprenticeship levy is finally due to be released this Friday, after a series of delays, reports FE Week.

The details, which were originally expected in June, will now be distributed via press release tomorrow, the Department for Education has confirmed.

APM delivers a series of apprenticeship programmes, from retail and warehouse to health and social care. Its experienced apprenticeship team is keen to do all it can to support new and existing employer partners through a potentially complex funding landscape.

APM's Director of Skills, Sara Goldie said: "Many employers are going to feel understandably apprehensive about the prospect of the apprenticeship levy being introduced.

"Our message is not to worry. We have experts on hand who can offer practical advice and guidance throughout the process and help employers to develop what we all want - successful apprentices to help take our businesses forward."

The apprenticeship levy, first announced by the government in July 2015, is set at 0.5 per cent of an employer's pay bill.

All employers will receive a £15,000 allowance to offset against the levy, which means that only £3m (about two per cent of employers) will actually pay the levy.

The money raised by the apprenticeship levy will be ring-fenced, so it can only levy-paying companies will receive a 10 per cent top up on their monthly levy contributions, according to a government announcement in the March budget.

SOURCE: FE Week