BT Group has introduced a new £4 million Apprenticeship Fund aimed at supporting small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), charities, and public sector organisations across England.
This initiative, set to run over four years, will provide apprenticeship funding to help these organisations recruit and train apprentices, as well as upskill their current workforce.
The Fund is a part of BT’s levy transfer programme, which allows larger businesses to transfer up to 50 percent of their apprenticeship levy to help other companies. Partnering with Babington, a leading UK apprenticeship training provider, BT will facilitate the transfer of levy funds and offer guidance to businesses throughout the application process. Successful applicants could access training within 20 days, potentially benefiting up to 550 apprentices.
Chris Sims, Managing Director for Small and Medium Business at BT, highlighted the Fund’s importance in supporting SMEs: “We’re giving these businesses the financial support they need to invest in talent, helping create a more skilled, diverse, and competitive workforce.”
The Fund aligns with BT’s ongoing efforts to enhance digital skills and boost local economies, targeting businesses struggling to recruit apprentices and aiming to close the digital skills gap.
