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Introduced in April 2017, the Apprenticeship Levy is a levy on UK employers who have a pay bill of over £3m to fund new and current employees through an apprenticeship scheme. As the firm takes its commitment to boosting the local business community extremely seriously, Birketts is proud to be one of less than 2% of UK employers eligible to pay the Apprenticeship Levy.

The Apprenticeship Levy is a fundamental part of a nationwide government initiative designed to invest in human capital and help individuals develop their vocational skills. By putting employers at the heart of the scheme, the Apprenticeship Levy has helped to facilitate around three million apprenticeships, offering millions of individuals the chance to receive quality training across a range of different sectors.

By allocating its share of the funding to the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership Apprenticeship Levy Transfer Scheme, Birketts is proud to help support the training needs of small and medium sized regional businesses (SMEs) like Feltwell Lodge Care Home. By transferring 25% of its unused annual levy payment, the firm will support the apprenticeship learning costs of the following:

• 4 x Level 2 Healthcare Cleaning Operative at £3,200 each
• 1 x Level 2 Adult Care at £3,000
• 1 x Level 3 Lead Adult Care at £3,000
• 1 x Level 5 Leader in Adult Care at £5,950.

Rachel McLean, Care Home Manager at Feltwell Lodge, said: “We are delighted that firms like Birketts and organisations like the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership are working together to support the delivery of apprenticeships for small and medium local businesses like Feltwell Lodge. Now more than ever, times have shown that the skills and capabilities of those working in care homes are vital to the economy at a national as well as regional level. Gestures like this, which not only increase the number of employment opportunities available locally but raise the profile of the sector, are invaluable.”

Shaun Savory, HR Director at Birketts, commented: “Off the back of what has been an extremely uncertain year which has had significant national and local impact, especially to those key workers who have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic, it will be great to see some of the funds we are unable to spend internally be used to benefit a key worker organisation. Supporting businesses within our community is a fundamental aspect of the Birketts’ ethos and a co-ordinated approach like this one, between Birketts and the New Anglia Partnership ensures that opportunities for training are maximised across the East Anglian region.”

Chris Starkie, chief executive of New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “High-quality apprenticeships are vital in ensuring that individuals have the right skills to enable them to be competitive across the jobs market. Training opportunities boost employment and provide entry routes in to a variety of sectors, giving the local economy the lift it needs. Birketts’ gesture helps to highlight their commitment to boosting the business community and developing employment opportunities that nurture local talent.”