More than one million pounds has been pledged to help people across the West of England develop new skills through apprenticeships.

Two new organisations have pledged their support to invest in apprentices live at a Workforce for the Future online event, held by Business West and the Western Training Provider Network (WTPN), on Thursday, 30th September.

The University of Bristol pledged £160,000 – this funding will be used for apprentices to help with the region’s economic recovery by supporting inclusive recruitment, green businesses, and companies involved in academic research.

NHS Bristol, North Somerset & South Gloucestershire CCG pledged a share of their £700,000 levy pot to support small to medium-sized enterprises in their supply chain, surgeries, social care SMEs and disadvantaged areas in the region. This money is now available to support training costs for small businesses to take on new apprentices or develop the skills and prospects of existing members of staff through apprenticeship training.

The money has been pledged to the region’s Share to Support scheme, which is run by the West of England Combined Authority and The Western Training Provider Network. The money comes from apprentice-levy paying employers passing on their unused levy funds so that more apprenticeships can be created.

Metro Mayor Dan Norris said: “Thanks to all those who are making sure we keep this apprentice cash local. What a great collective effort to boost apprenticeship opportunities to equip people with skills they will need in our changing workplaces.”

Professor Judith Squires the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost at the University of Bristol, said: “We are proud to be pledging up to 10 per cent of our apprenticeship levy to support

organisations who would not usually be able to access the levy to create new apprentice roles or upskill existing employees. 

“This will be used to improve social mobility; help economic recovery by reducing employment skills gaps and supporting inclusive recruitment – particularly communities that experience high levels of deprivation.”

With 700 apprenticeships now available, small businesses across the West are already using the scheme to both grow and upskill their teams.