UNISON Northern Region was very pleased to host training and a planning workshop on the topic of the Apprenticeship Levy.
Any employer with a pay bill over £3 million each year must pay the apprenticeship levy which is calculated at 0.5% of the annual pay bill. Employers can use this levy to fund apprenticeships and to provide training for those apprentices.
Jon Tennison joined us from UNISON National office to brief us on the opportunities and challenges within the government’s new Apprenticeship Levy.
Working in partnership, Branch Activists and Organising Staff identified and shared employers’ plans around apprenticeships.
Planning took place to tackle problems and barriers to organising apprentices.
Support needs were considered before plans for action were drafted to include support from branches and regional office.
Overall, the day enabled participants to identify key opportunities offered by the apprenticeship levy which would benefit workplaces and strengthen branches.
A very successful day led to concrete plans being put in place to recruit and organise apprentices: the UNISON activists of the future.