Talent and Skills

Apprenticeship reforms

From 1st April 2024 the government will pay the full cost of apprenticeships in small businesses for anyone up to the age of 21, reducing costs and burdens for businesses and delivering more opportunities for young people to kick start their careers. In addition, the government will be raising the threshold for the number of people that work in a SME (small- to medium-enterprises) from 250 to 500.

More information on hiring an apprentice, including details on funding, can be found here: Hire an apprentice (apprenticeships.gov.uk)

Becoming an apprentice

Apprenticeship’s can be an exciting and rewarding career path that combines training and study with real work. Apprentices receive training that is recognised and valued by employers throughout the UK. As well as learning and applying new skills in a real work environment, apprentices are also employees so earn a salary too.

An apprenticeship is not just for school leavers, they’re for everyone who is:

• aged 16 or over
• not in full-time education
• living in England (Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland deliver their own apprenticeship programmes)

There are different levels of apprenticeships, and for each you would need different qualifications to apply, and receive different qualifications for completing them.

• Intermediate apprenticeship: an intermediate apprenticeship is a Level 2 qualification equivalent to a GCSE qualification
• Advance apprenticeship: an advanced apprenticeship is a Level 3 qualification equivalent to an A-Level qualification
• Higher apprenticeship: a higher apprenticeship is a Level 4, 5, 6 and 7 qualification equivalent to a Higher National Certificate (HNC) or above. If you do not already have GCSEs in English and maths, you generally need to commit to taking Functional Skills alongside the apprenticeship. Some employers may also want people with relevant qualifications, such as A-Level science for a lab-based apprenticeship.
• Degree apprenticeship: a degree apprenticeship is Level 6 and 7 qualification equivalent to a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree. Like higher apprenticeships, degree apprenticeships may require specific requirements, which may include GCSE English and maths, as well as having Level 3 qualifications (A-Levels, BTEC, NVQ, or an advanced apprenticeship), and have relevant work experience.

Before applying you should also consider that as an apprentice you’ll have to:

• balance a job with studying and your home life
• work under supervision and guidance
• complete regular assessments
• usually train for one specific role

More information on apprenticeships, including advice on how to apply, can be found here: Become an apprentice (apprenticeships.gov.uk)

Inspira – The Key

An established employability programme for economically inactive adults. The Key addresses several interlinked issues affecting the local labour market and the economic prospects of residents. It includes collaboration with local employers and provides participants with practical support to boost their employability and help them move quickly into jobs.

This project received up to £615,066 from Westmorland and Furness Council and the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Cumbria Tourism – Welcome to Work in the Visitor Economy

Addressing labour shortages in the visitor economy by linking people looking for work with tourism businesses. Focussing on training for businesses on the Disability Confident scheme and working with partners like DWP and People First to help people with disabilities to access the labour market. Matchmaking people with vacancies through the Tourism Talent Hub, and helping those who don’t know what they want to do to access employment while they decide rather than falling out of the system.

This project received £132,701 from Westmorland and Furness Council and the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Cumbria CVS – This is Us

A collaborative, cross sector project, This is Us works with organisations and individuals to improve volunteering opportunities across Westmorland and Furness. Through online and face-to-face training, workshops and networking opportunities, This is Us delivers:

• Volunteer development workshops
• Volunteer opportunity days
• Business planning and sustainability support
• Governance and trustee training
• Fundraising support and funding searches
• Sessions with organisations to develop new volunteering roles
• 1:1 sessions working on organisational needs

This project received up to £259,151 from Westmorland and Furness Council and the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.