Supporting employee development through Apprenticeship Levy transfers

The University of Oxford Apprenticeships Team are supporting local businesses and charities by transferring our unused Apprenticeship levy funds to be used for Apprenticeship training. This enables small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), who do not have the necessary funds themselves, to recruit and train new employees or upskill existing members of their team. It is a fantastic way in which the University can support the local community. So far the Apprenticeships team has committed to transfer over £500,000 of unused levy funds. 

 

Transferring funds to CSR and NPL

In October 2020, the University of Oxford transferred some of their unspent Apprenticeship levy funds to the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and CSR Scientific Training to enable them to upskill existing members of their team.

The University’s levy transfer meant that four of the delivery team at CSR and two members of the training team at NPL could enrol on the Level 5 Learning Skills Teacher Apprenticeship Standard.  All  these employees from NPL and CSR are due to complete their Apprenticeship programmes this summer. 

LEVEL 5 LEARNING SKILLS TEACHER APPRENTICESHIP

The levy transfer has resulted in an increased ability for our trainers to analyse their own lessons and improve their ways of working. This has given our apprentices access to a wider repertoire of work-based teaching and learning strategies. 
- Rob Green, Director at CSR Scientific Training

The course has been invaluable for my theoretical knowledge and teaching practice.  This in turn has translated into more engaging lessons for my learners that develop them holistically.  I have also been able to reflect on the programme we teach and make suggestions that will improve the overall learner experience, both individually and collectively and measure progress throughout.
- Nivette Chester, Training Delivery Specialist at NPL

It’s never too late to learn – and there’s a wealth of new knowledge and practices to help us to improve on what we have been doing for years. The generosity of the University of  Oxford levy transfer scheme has enabled us to do just that, through the Level 5 Diploma course for Education and Training, delivered by CSR Scientific Training. The scheme has offered an excellent source of continuing professional development that is highly beneficial to all parties. Despite the significant challenge of going back to study, we are becoming inspired to use the new approaches to re-engineer the training delivery at the National Physical Laboratory, for the improved learning of our apprentices.
- Jolyon Caplin, Training Delivery Specialist at NPL

About CSR

CSR Group has been delivering quality scientific and healthcare Apprenticeships and training since it was founded by Directors Rob Green and Simon Jukes in 2006. It is listed on the RoATP (Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers) and regulated by the IfATE (Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education). It is the country’s leading scientific training provider and they are proud to work with some of the most innovative scientific product and service industries in the UK. CSR also has a solid and rapidly growing presence in the British Healthcare sector.

About NPL

NPL is the UK's National Metrology Institute, developing and maintaining the national primary measurement standards. It is a Public Corporation owned by the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). It has a partnering agreement with BEIS and the University of Strathclyde and the University of Surrey. NPL is part of the National Measurement System (NMS) which provides the UK with a national measurement infrastructure and delivers the UK Measurement Strategy on behalf of BEIS.

What is the Apprenticeship Levy?

The UK Government introduced the Apprenticeship Levy in April 2017. The Levy requires all employers operating in the UK, with a pay bill over £3 million each year, to invest in Apprenticeships. The levy is charged at a rate of 0.5% of an employer's pay bill.

Employers in England who pay the Levy, including the University of Oxford, are able to access funding through a digital Apprenticeship service account which enables them to select and pay Government-approved training providers for Apprenticeship training. Please note: the Apprenticeship levy can only be used to pay for the training of staff with an approved training provider.

How do transfers work?

Employers who pay the Levy and have unused funds are able to support other employers who are looking to receive a transfer. From April 2019, employers are able to transfer up to 25% of their annual funds. Transferred funds can only be used to pay for Apprenticeship training by a Government-approved training provider.