Talent and Skills
in Westmorland and Furness, Cumbria
Apprenticeships
Whether you are a large organisation or a small business, apprenticeships are a great way to invest in fresh talent, and your existing team; ensuring above all skills and experience that are right for you.
Businesses will need to cover Apprenticeship wages, but if you are a smaller employer, you would be eligible for government funding to cover between 95% and 100% of the apprentice training costs. Larger employers can use their levy to pay for apprenticeship training.
The Apprenticeship Levy is an amount paid at a rate of 0.5% of an employer’s annual pay bill. As an employer, you have to pay Apprenticeship Levy each month if you:
- have an annual pay bill of more than £3 million
- are connected to any companies or charities for Employment Allowance purposes and have a combined annual pay bill of more than £3 million
Businesses that do not pay the apprenticeship levy contribute 5% of training costs. However, businesses do not contribute to training costs (up to the funding band maximum) if they do not pay the apprenticeship levy and they:
- receive a levy transfer from another employer
- have an apprentice aged under 22 (for new apprenticeship training starts from 1 April 2024)
- have an apprentice aged between 22 and 24 with an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan provided by their local authority and/or has been in care (for new apprenticeship training starts from 1 April 2024)
Additional Government support
£1,000 additional funding for businesses with apprentices aged under 19, or aged between 19 and 24 for care leavers or those with an education, health and care (EHC) plan. Training providers also get this funding
Additional grants and support for travel and accommodation available for CITB registered employers and their apprentices.
Upskilling and Exemptions
Government funding is available for upskilling if your apprentice needs to meet the minimum Level 2 requirements in English and maths.
Employers are exempt from paying National Insurance, if the apprentice:
- is under 25 years old
- is on an approved UK government apprenticeship standard or framework (these can differ depending on UK country)
- earns less than £967 a week (£50,270 a year)
More information on hiring an apprentice, including details on funding, can be found here: Hire an apprentice (apprenticeships.gov.uk)
Steps into Work
Connect to Work
Connect to Work is the first programme under the Government’s new Get Britain Working Strategy that helps disabled people, those with health conditions and people with complex barriers to employment, to find sustainable work.
Participants will be offered up to 12 months of support with the aim of placing them in a real job at an early stage, and then ensuring they have the support and training to sustain their work.
Education
The schools, colleges and universities in and around Westmorland & Furness are noted for their specialist programme and close ties with local employers. In Barrow-in-Furness both the University of Cumbria and Furness College enjoy a strong partnership with BAE Systems, whilst Kendal College is a key participant in supporting the Westmorland and Furness economy alongside other stakeholders. But don’t just take our word for it, see for yourselves and explore the opportunities available.
Furness College – Barrow-based Further Education college situated over two campuses: Channelside Campus offering vocational courses, apprenticeships, T-Levels and Higher Education courses; and the Sixth Form Campus on Rating Lane offering A-Level courses, post-19 education and adult learning.
Kendal College – Kendal-based Further Education college situated over three campuses (Milnthorpe Road Campus, Arts & Media Campus, and Westmorland Campus) offering A-levels, T-Levels, apprenticeships, adult learning, distance, learning vocational, and GCSE/Functional Skills English and maths
University of Cumbria – a multi-campus university, the University of Cumbria is home to over 14,000 students. Including Ambleside, Carlisle, Lancaster, London, and Barrow-in-Furness, the university’s historic campuses are surrounded by natural beauty, vibrant student communities and endless career opportunities. In 2024/25 the university will open the Barrow Learning Quarter adjacent to the BAE Systems Submarine Academy for Skills and Knowledge site on Barrow Island. The campus will deliver a range of degree-level programmes for learners ranging from digital and cyber security to project management and supply chain and logistics.
Lancaster University – consistently placed in the top 15 in the three major UK university league tables, Lancaster University is home to nine colleges overall, eight for undergraduate students and one for postgraduates, each providing access to wellbeing professionals, events and social activities, trips and excursions, and social spaces. The university’s main campus at Bailrigg occupies a beautiful 560-acre parkland and has the feel of a small town with banks, shops, cafes, restaurants, bars, a pre-school centre and health services.
