EXTRA £5.7M SECURED TO HELP 1,200 YOUNG PEOPLE INTO APPRENTICESHIPS ACROSS LIVERPOOL CITY REGION

A groundbreaking Combined Authority scheme that’s helped thousands of young people into apprenticeships is to be expanded following £5.7m of new funding from Government. 

Having been approved at a recent Combined Authority meeting, the Department for Work and Pensions funding will support around 1,200 young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET), providing additional help for those most at risk of missing out on opportunities. 

It will fund the expansion of the City Region’s successful Apprenticeship Brokerage service that’s channelled more than £20m of unused Apprenticeship Levy from large employers including Liverpool Football Club, the BBC and Amazon into creating 2,800 apprenticeship starts at over 600 small and medium-sized businesses. 

It will also support the creation of a new Local Apprenticeship Service, helping more employers recruit apprentices and giving young people better access to opportunities. 

Overall, more than 74,000 apprenticeships have been created across the City Region since 2017. 

Using the extra funding, the Combined Authority will work closely with local authorities, employers, colleges and training providers to create clearer pathways into apprenticeships and employment. 

Plans also include the development of a new UCAS-style clearing system, delivered through the award-winning Be More platform, to connect young people who narrowly miss out on apprenticeship opportunities with alternative vacancies and support. 

Cllr Marion Atkinson, Leader of Sefton Council and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Cabinet Member for Skills and Employment, said: 

“Too many talented young people are missing out on opportunities, while businesses are struggling to find the skilled workers they need. This funding will help us bridge that gap.” 

“We’ve already shown that our apprenticeship brokerage model works. This investment allows us to do more of what we know delivers results – helping employers recruit local talent and supporting young people into jobs, training and careers.” 

The Liverpool City Region has been selected as one of the first areas in the country to take part in the new Mayoral Strategic Authority Apprenticeship Brokerage programme, securing £5,763,110 to support delivery until March 2029. 

The programme is being mobilised with a view to launch in 2027 following detailed work with local authority partners and the Department for Work and Pensions to finalise delivery arrangements.

This article was originally published by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority: https://www.liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk/news/extra-5-7m-secured-to-help-1200-young-people-into-apprenticeships-across-liverpool-city-region

CLICK HERE to find out more about the Be More Employer Brokerage Service and the support that is available or visit: https://lcrbemore.co.uk/employer-support-brokerage-support/

CLICK HERE to discover and search for local live apprenticeship vacancies or visit: https://lcrbemore.co.uk/apprenticeship/