SCHOOLS are being offered the opportunity to offer new learning opportunities for support staff by utilising Essex County Council’s unspent apprenticeship levy.

The apprenticeship levy is paid by employers with a payroll of over £3 million. It is stored in a fund to help cover apprenticeship training costs. Alternatively, unspent levy can be transferred to non-levy payers to help them pay training costs.

Schools can use the council’s apprenticeship levy to offer a range of development opportunities. These range from Level 2 to Level 5.

Staff members can access leadership courses, such as Level 5 Coaching or Level 3 Team Leader/Supervisor. There are also specialism-focussed options, such as accounting, facilities management and IT.

Offering apprenticeships can help Essex schools attract and retain high-quality talent. Development opportunities will also improve the quality of education provision around Essex.

The council’s Schools Employer Engagement Team offers bespoke support and will discuss each school’s needs. They will also guide them through the logistics of securing the levy transfer. Once secured, they will help the school to make the most of the new funding.

Councillor Tony Ball, Cabinet Member for Education Excellence, Lifelong Learning and Employability, said: “We know there is a shortage of school support staff here in Essex and across the UK. By accessing our underspent apprenticeship levy pot, we hope Essex schools will be able to attract the talent they need to thrive.

“This opportunity will also support the development of our teaching community, which, in turn, will result in better outcomes for children and young people.”

Visit the Essex Apprenticeship Levy Transfer Service (EALTS) website to find out more. Alternatively, contact the team at [email protected].