Deep concern expressed by Wealden council over defunding of some apprenticeships

The council is among a coalition of employers and apprentices spanning sectors including healthcare, science, construction, manufacturing, creative, business and local government, to write to the government minister arguing that level 7 apprenticeships are integral to recruitment, retention and skills strategies across a range of essential sectors.

Wealden council currently has seven apprentices on level 7 apprenticeships in accountancy, planning and public management and leadership.

The government has indicated that it plans to prevent employers like the council from using the Apprenticeship Levy to fund level 7 apprenticeships – the highest level of apprenticeship.

All employers with a turnover of more than £3 million are charged at 0.5% of their annual pay bill for the Levy, which will soon become the Growth & Skills Levy. Part of what is raised through the Levy is used to fund apprenticeships in employers of all sizes, including SMEs.

Employers argue the levy should be used to fund the qualifications that best meet their skills needs, including level 7 apprenticeships.

Many of the sectors which rely on level 7 apprenticeships are identified as essential to growing the UK economy in the government’s ‘Invest 2035’ industrial strategy green paper.

The letter also highlights that these apprenticeships are vital in filling crucial skills gaps in local government and public services. Many large employers such as NHS trusts say they do not have the budget to fund these qualifications outside of their levy contributions.

Councillor Greg Collins, Alliance for Wealden (Green Party) and lead councillor for Finance, HR and Customer Services, said, “Should the government decide to withdraw funding for level 7 apprenticeships, it would ripple through various industries and inadvertently undermine several critical aspects of its skills, opportunity, and growth strategy.

“This will affect us here at Wealden council and we strongly urge the government to reconsider this decision, assess the broader impact of redirecting levy payments away from high-level skill development, and instead boost the overall apprenticeship budget.

“This would support these essential level 7 qualifications, helping to cultivate a capable, highly-skilled workforce poised to propel the UK’s innovation and growth forward.”