• Big businesses can transfer unspent Apprenticeship Levy to fund training roles at smaller firms
• £9.2 transferred via Combined Authority, creating 1,521 apprenticeships
• Levy transfers facilitated so far have created a return-on-investment benefit of around £248m
• The BBC has transferred £326,000 of Levy funding to create 37 roles
• Bauer Media and the Premier League working together to train content creators

The BBC is backing a campaign to boost apprenticeships in the Liverpool City Region’s digital and creative sector.

Businesses and training providers came together to hear how the Combined Authority has successfully secured £9.2m in unused Apprenticeship Levy to create 1,521 roles in the Liverpool City Region.

The fund is levied from the wage bills of big employers by the government. If not used in-house on apprenticeships, 50% can be transferred to fund trainees in other organisations.

For every £1 invested in apprenticeships the average return on investment is £27, meaning that the levy transfers facilitated so far have created a benefit of around £248m.

Big names such as Liverpool FC, Airbus, Amazon, Matalan and QVC have supported the initiative and helped fund hundreds of apprentices.

The BBC now spends more Levy in the city region than anywhere else in the UK – so far transferring £326,000 to create 37 apprentice roles.

The latest event at Liverpool’s historic Athenaeum Club shone a spotlight on the creative and digital sector in a bid to encourage small businesses to recruit apprentices. Speakers included the BBC, the Premier League and Bauer Media.

Mayor of the Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram said:

“As a former apprentice, I know the life-changing impact that quality training can have in transforming people’s futures. The skills I gained during my training helped to set me up for life – and I want every young person to have access to that same opportunity.

“But across the country we’re seeing billions of pounds of unspent funding being returned to the treasury every year rather than being invested in apprenticeships. It doesn’t have to be this way.

“I’m proud we’ve already helped to divert millions of potential wasted levy every year – but this is only the start. By teaming up with major employers like the BBC, we’re opening up more opportunities for local people to gain practical skills, earn a wage, and build a career while helping businesses tackle skills shortages and preparing for the jobs of the future. It’s a win-win for our people, for our businesses, and for our region’s long-term success.”

Left to right: Abdul Yusuf Youth Projects Executive, Premier League; Gillian Shaw, Head of Partnerships, Bauer Academy; Joe Keegan, Employer Brokerage Manager, LCR Combined Authority; Caroline Watkinson, Commercial Director, Bauer Academy; Helen Cross, Cluster Manager for Digital & Creative, Growth Platform, LCR Combined Authority

Large employers are required to pay 0.5% of their wage bill towards an Apprenticeship Levy – collected by the government to fund apprenticeships. Levy payers can spend their allocation on in-house apprentices or gift up to 50% to other organisations. Otherwise the money is lost to the area.

In May 2023, the Mayor called on big firms to transfer unspent Levy via the Combined Authority Employer Brokerage Team to fund apprenticeships at smaller local businesses.

The Combined Authority is now working with 23 Levy employers as part of the initiative.

Over the past six years more than 60,000 jobs and 30,000 apprenticeships have been created through initiatives such as the Mayor’s Young Person’s Guarantee and his award-winning UCAS-style apprenticeship and careers portal Be More.

Sarah Moors, BBC Head of Apprenticeships, said:

“The BBC is delighted to be in a position to transfer our unspent levy to support SMEs across England and create apprenticeship opportunities. Using our levy in this way is enabling us to support the development of new talent for the creative, cultural and digital sectors, and to help businesses upskill existing employees. Taking on an apprentice creates a positive impact on any business. It’s a fantastic way to grow skills, develop careers and support your local community. We are proud to support SMEs with this endeavour.”

If you are interested in finding out more about how you can gift your Apprenticeship Levy funds or are looking to access a Levy transfer then please contact the Employer Brokerage Service at [email protected] or register your details here: https://lcrbemore.co.uk/employer-support-brokerage-support/