Skills Focus

SKILLS FOCUS SPONSORED BY THE SOURCE SKILLS ACADEMY BOUNCE BACK WITH APPRENTICES AND UP TO £4,000 OF GOV CASH, URGES THE SOURCE

Companies preparing to Build Back Better after lockdown are being urged to turn to apprenticeships - and take advantage of up to £4,000 cash from the government to help with the cost.

Any employers who hire a new apprentice from April 1-September 30 will receive £3,000, regardless of the apprentice’s age.

The new, enhanced incentive was announced in the March 3 Budget. It is on top of the £1,000 payment already provided for new apprentices aged 16 to 18 and those under 25 with an Education, Health and Care Plan - meaning that some employers could receive £4,000 in total.

The apprenticeship financial incentive was introduced in 2020’s Summer Budget. It gave firms £2,000 when taking on 16 to 24 year olds and £1,500 for the 25s and over.

The new cash bonus changes the amount to £3,000 across the board. It is a significant boost to employers and also puts job-hunters of all ages on an equal footing, says The Source Skills Academy in Sheffield.

“The Chancellor has including your apprentice’s salary, and does not have to be paid back. It is accessed through the Digital Apprenticeship Account on the Gov.uk website, which The Source can provide support with.

Contact apprenticeships@ thesourceacademy.co.uk

RICHARD WILLIS, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER AT THE SOURCE

effectively doubled the amount companies receive for taking on an older apprentice and gives them £500 more than previously for taking on under 24s,” said Richard Willis, business development manager at The Source, a widely-respected training provider with charity status.

“This could be a real gamechanger for small businesses who need to fill skills gaps as they re-start. It eases the financial risk of taking someone on in a time of uncertainty. £4,000 will pay almost half an apprentice’s wage.” The payment can be spent on any apprentice costs,

Richard’s team is helping companies regenerate

Richard Willis brings 18 years of experience to managing The Source’s business development team.

He spent five years at Sheffield College, enabling local construction firms to find the right apprentices, expanded his career during 10 years at Barnsley College and joined the Source in 2018.

He is now leading the team as it gears up to help Sheffield City Region companies regenerate via apprenticeships and employee training

“Throughout my career I’ve seen the value of apprenticeships - on both learners and the companies who benefit from their enthusiasm and commitment,” said Richard.

“Apprentices have an important role to play in the challenging times ahead as the region builds back after the pandemic.

“In addition, we are helping businesses access a range of fully-funded training and employment initiatives, such as the Kickstart programme.

“These schemes complement each other and will help people and businesses of all backgrounds to regroup, expand and develop,”

The Source Skills Academy in Sheffield is passionate about bringing out the best in people. It has been helping businesses to increase the talents of their teams since 2003 and is proud to sponsor Skills Focus, a monthly spotlight on training and apprenticeship news and funding to help you develop your staff. Contact 0114 2635600 Marketing & thesourceacademy.co.uk

KAREN RENDI OF ZEBRA MOTORING SCHOOL

Karen is ready to steer her own future

Karen Rendi is ready to launch her own driving school thanks to a course she studied with The Source Skills Academy.

Zebra Motoring School will be ready to roll in Rotherham as soon as lockdown eases this spring and Karen, (50), already has customers lining up.

She studied a Business Startup course online during the first lockdown, and qualified as a driving instructor in September.

By October she had bought a dual-control car and was ready to launch, but had to put the brakes on when South Yorkshire went into Tier 3 restrictions.

Karen was the owner of Thorpe Hesley’s Village Store but on selling up she decided to become an instructor after helping her eldest son Alexander learn to drive.

While qualifying she took a part time job with The Source and discovered its range of CPD courses.

“My six-week course taught me a huge amount – research and costings advice and how to do my own accounts and marketing,” said Karen, a quality administrator. “Although I’d been in business before, there was a lot I needed to know to start a business from scratch.

“The course gave me many ideas and strategies. Because it was online, I studied when I had free evenings. I really enjoyed it and the tutor was knowledgeable and helpful.”

BOOST SKILLS NOW TO PREPARE FOR LIFE AFTER LOCKDOWN

Lockdown could soon be over, but there are still testing times ahead for business.

Companies getting workforces ready, or people planning to launch their own businesses, can prepare by boosting their skills.

A wide range of Continued Professional Development courses have been specially collated by The Source Skills Academy with busy professionals and budding entrepreneurs in mind.

Many are Ideal for someone stepping up to a new role or taking on more responsibilities. Others are tailored for business start-ups.

Leadership Skills courses available include Managing Meetings, Presentation Skills, Effective Communication and Project Management.

Marketing professionals and new businesses can increase their skills in social media, marketing, and search engine optimisation.

HR training ranges from Time Management to Stress Management and awareness of mental health – the latter are key issues of the pandemic.

Courses for the selfemployed and company directors include Techniques in Lean Organisation and Business Improvement.

“Maybe there are things you’ve long felt under-confident about, such as managing a meeting or negotiating with an unhappy customer,” said Danny Slinn, employment and skills project manager.

“Or post-lockdown your organisation will be leaner, with staff needing to take on new responsibilities. Our courses will address those skills gaps.

“Experts predict many people made redundant during the pandemic will see a future in self-employment. Many of our courses will help people on that journey.”

CPD courses are low cost – from £30 Study time can be completed at your own pace. Work is done online, with tutors on hand.

Find out more at www. thesourceacademy.co.uk/ online-training-0