RSA pledges over £1m to fund more than 100 people through the Apprenticeship Levy

Authored by RSA

National Apprenticeship Week is an opportunity to focus on the positive impact apprenticeships have on communities, businesses and the wider economy. RSA shares its role in giving back through our Apprenticeship Levy.

The Apprenticeship Levy is a government scheme whereby employers who have an annual payroll spend of more than £3 million must pay 0.5% of it into the levy.  Employers can then gift 25% of their levy to non-levy paying organisations to fund their apprenticeship training costs.  We’re proud to share we’ve pledged over £1 million to fund more than 150 people through apprenticeship programmes across a variety of sectors, including Care Services, Charity, Construction, Creative and Design, Digital, Education, Hair and Beauty, Health and Science, Legal and Finance, and Sales, Marketing and Procurement.   

This is one of the ways RSA gives back to local communities: helping hundreds of individuals start or enhance their careers while supporting small businesses to grow. The levy encourages businesses to provide a greater offering of early career and apprenticeship opportunities across all sectors. Increasing avenues to access qualifications, increased earnings and a fulfilling career help to promote social mobility and is of huge benefit to local communities, as well as the wider economy. 

Additionally, levy-funded apprentice placements are proving critical to certain industries that have been struggling to overcome the impacts of COVID-19 and Brexit.

Ruth Poulten, UK&I Social Impact and ESG Manager: 

” Helping people drives everything we do at RSA.  Using the Levy to develop talent, grow skills and increase opportunities and resources is one of the ways we take action to help build resilient communities.

“As a result of the pandemic, particularly acute challenges have been felt in the care sector and by key workers on the frontline.  We’re absolutely delighted that over half of all RSA levy pledges have gone towards apprentice placements in this industry, providing local solutions.”

We spoke to some recipients of an RSA apprenticeship levy pledge to hear how it has impacted their business:

Gemma Funge, Training Manager Care Perspectives:   

“ Being supported by the levy transfer was a quick and smooth process, from the initial request for the transfer to enrolling staff on the programme. We were delighted to have been offered the opportunity, knowing how the benefits and influence the apprenticeship would have on the quality of care and support being offered to our young people.  

Apprenticeships have allowed our support workers to gain direct experiences of supporting young people within a residential care setting, while being able to reflect and develop their practice alongside gaining a recognised qualification. Care Perspectives wants to continue to attract support workers as apprentices and help them to develop a career within the health and social care sector, accessing future career progression for aspiring team leaders and managers of the future.”  

Paul Simbler, Director of HOB Salons:

“Like with many other industries we’ve been hit by increased costs and recruitment problems with a shortage of applicants. Apprentices ensure the smooth running of our salons and help with our recruitment issues as having “home grown” future stylists and colourists are the way forward for us.