SMALL BUSINESS SUMMER: HELPING SMEs INVEST IN APPRENTICESHIPS
Small businesses across the Liverpool City Region are being encouraged to take advantage of a new national campaign…
Small businesses across the Liverpool City Region are being encouraged to take advantage of a new national campaign that connects them with local talent and unlocks the benefits of apprenticeships.
Small Business Summer, led by Amazing Apprenticeships and supported by the Edge Foundation, is a nationwide initiative running throughout the summer term. Its aim is simple but powerful: to help small businesses better understand how to engage with young people and take the next step in recruiting apprentices.
At a time when skills shortages continue to hinder growth across key sectors, the campaign provides timely support for SMEs considering apprenticeships but unsure where to start.
What is Small Business Summer?
Small Business Summer is built around raising awareness of the opportunities within local economies for both young people and employers. The campaign provides practical tools, guidance and resources to help smaller employers understand how apprenticeships work, how to recruit, and how to develop talent effectively.
For employers, this includes:
- Free guidance on setting up apprenticeships
- Access to toolkits and step-by-step support
- Case studies and real-world examples from other small businesses
- Webinars and resources explaining the recruitment process
The goal is to simplify what can often feel like a complex system and make apprenticeships a realistic and achievable option for smaller organisations.
How apprenticeships help SMEs
For many SMEs, apprenticeships are one of the most effective ways to build a skilled, loyal workforce. Unlike traditional recruitment, apprenticeships allow businesses to:
- Develop talent tailored to their specific needs
- Address skills gaps from the ground up
- Improve retention by investing in employee development
- Bring in fresh perspectives and digital skills
Importantly, apprenticeships combine on-the-job training with structured learning, allowing individuals to contribute to the business as they develop their skills.
For Liverpool City Region employers operating in competitive sectors such as logistics, maritime, construction, hospitality, science, health, and digital, this approach offers a sustainable way to grow capacity.
New financial incentive to recruit young apprentices
Recent changes to apprenticeship funding and incentives make this an even more attractive time to get involved. From later in the summer, businesses that do not pay the apprenticeship levy can claim a £2,000 incentive payment for each apprentice aged 16 to 24 that they hire.
Alongside this, apprenticeship training costs are fully funded for non-levy-paying businesses that employ apprentices up to age 25. This is on top of the existing financial benefit whereby businesses are exempt from paying NI for any apprentice under the age of 25.
Supporting growth in the Liverpool City Region
The Small Business Summer campaign aligns closely with local priorities around inclusive growth, skills development, and connecting residents with quality employment opportunities. By engaging with the campaign, employers can access free support, tap into local talent pipelines, and play a direct role in shaping the future workforce.
More importantly, they can move from simply reacting to skills shortages to actively solving them. Businesses in the region can register to be part of the Small Business Summer campaign and access a range of resources, including webinars starting on 12th May.
Taking the first step
The LCR Be More Skills Brokerage team offers free, impartial support to employers across the Liverpool City Region, helping businesses understand their options, access available funding, and connect with trusted training providers. Regardless of whether you are completely new to apprenticeships or looking to expand your existing workforce, they can guide you through the process from start to finish.
With additional financial incentives now in place and a strong regional support network, this is the ideal time to explore how an apprentice could support your business.
