SPONSORED EDITORIAL
Is your business in need of some motivated raw talent or looking to rejuvenate current workforce members with bigger managerial aspirations?

And did you know that there is tax relief (apprenticeship levy) to help ease the costs of taking on more staff or upskilling staff?

Kent companies interested in benefiting and engaging in such an apprenticeship programme are especially in luck.

The University of Kent is one of the leading providers of apprenticeships in the county and its Centre for Higher and Degree Apprenticeships continues to go from strength to strength.

In the last few years, the centre has been providing tailored support and expertise to employers in Kent and beyond.

The Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship has been especially popular and the next intake in January will mark the university’s third successful cohort.

The apprenticeship is underpinned by a BSc (Hons) in Management and develops a new kind of business professional for the 21st century.

Degree apprentices enrolling in the Chartered Manager programme will learn through a mixture of e-learning, on and off-site academic support, and face-to-face block teaching.

It is an apprenticeship that is invaluable to those looking to progress their career within a business by moving into a management role or a more senior managerial position.

Other popular programmes at Kent include the Laboratory Scientist Higher Apprenticeship (level 5), Laboratory Scientist Degree Apprenticeship (level 6), Technician Scientist higher Apprenticeship (level 5) and Senior Leader Masters Degree Apprenticeship (level 7).

The University are also developing new apprenticeships in:

• Clinical Trials Specialist Degree (level 6)
• Commercial Procurement & Supply Certificate (level 4)
• Junior Management Consultant Certificate (level 4)
• Social Work Degree (level 6)
• Professional Economist Degree (level 6)

“Employers recognise that taking on apprentices at higher or degree level is a cost-effective way to upskill their existing workforce, attract talented people, boost workplace diversity and fill skill gaps,” commented Scott Wildman who is Centre for Higher and Degree Apprenticeships Director.

“We’ve been working with leading companies to deliver higher apprenticeships for more than six years.

“Since the launch of the Centre for Higher and Degree Apprenticeships in 2016, we have been building on our experiences to develop a wider range of quality apprenticeships with both national and local employers.”

Some of the organisations to have used the University of Kent apprenticeships include Pfizer, Colourcon, Hospice in the Weald, James Villa Holidays, GlaxoSmithKline, BBC, The Pentland Group, Timbersource and Government Economic Service.

The University of Kent is not alone in wanting to expand its apprenticeship reach.

Chancellor Philip Hammond unveiled a new package of government measures to stimulate business investment including a £695 million package to support apprenticeships.

He added that the British government is looking to target three million apprenticeships by 2020.

The apprenticeship levy requires employers to contribute to a funding pot which they can access in order to purchase apprenticeship training.

The latest incentives essentially mean that as of April next year, large businesses will be able to invest up to 25% of their apprenticeship levy to support apprentices in their supply chain.

Smaller firms taking on apprentices will see the amount they have to contribute halved from 10% to 5%. The government will in turn foot the costs for the remaining amount.

“We can help an organisation with apprenticeships every step of the way - from initial advice and expert training through our academic programmes, to a fully managed service,” concluded Wildman.

Some of the benefits of higher and degree apprenticeships for a business or organisation include attracting or developing staff to boost quality. Existing staff can also develop and improve their skills from working with an apprentice.

For more information, visit the university’s official website here or email apprenticeships@kent.ac.uk. You can also telephone 01634 888459 or 01634 888467.