The University of Leeds has unveiled a new levy transfer project that aims to donate £1 million to eligible small employers to fully fund apprenticeship training and boost skills development.
To date, the University has pledged £287,000 of the £1 million to support small and medium sized enterprises in the Leeds city region who do not pay the Apprenticeship Levy to upskill their workforce.
The University of Leeds has offered apprenticeship programmes since 2018, across a range of different sectors and to apprentices from all walks of life. The new levy transfer project aims to support potential apprentices who don’t currently hold a Higher Education qualification or equivalent.
Read our case study demonstrating the collaboration between the University and Leeds City Council.
Our aim is to widen participation in higher education, boost skills in a cost-effective way for employers across the district and support growth and productivity within the West Yorkshire region.”
The programme particularly welcomes individuals from low-income households, or those who are mature, disabled, care leavers, or from areas that do not have high levels of the community participating in higher education along with those from disadvantaged ethnic minority backgrounds.
In addition, applications are encouraged from organisations where apprenticeship programmes will enhance the career prospects of staff through professional registration or Chartered Status.
The funding is targeted at those key sectors identified in the West Yorkshire Local Skills Improvement Plan. These are health and social care, engineering and advanced manufacturing, financial and professional services, low carbon industries, creative industries, digital and technology industries, the education sector, construction, transport and logistics.
The University of Leeds had 154 achievers in the 2023/24 academic session, which amounts to 84.2% of the cohort completing their programmes. This is well above the national average achievement rate for apprenticeships which is about 50%.
After completing their programme, nearly 90% of the 2024 Leeds completers were working in the same sector as their apprenticeship and almost a third were working at a more senior level in their organisation.
Leeds Partnership Awards
The Leeds Partnership Awards, which celebrate University of Leeds students and staff who have enhanced the Leeds community, will for the first time include an Apprentice of the Year award.
This new award for 2025 will recognise an apprentice who has made a significant impact at Leeds during their studies. This could be through academic excellence, their contribution to co-curricular activities or enhancing the learning experience or sense of belonging for their peers.
Nominations can be put forward by either employers, students or staff and more information can be found on the partnership awards site. The deadline is Friday 28 February.
Dominic Millington, Head of Apprenticeships (Delivery and Compliance) at the University of Leeds, said: “We are delighted that an Apprentice of the Year award has been launched and look forward to celebrating the impact of our apprentices’ contribution to both the University and their workplace.”
He added: “We want to give as much support as possible to both organisations and the individuals who participate in our apprenticeships. Our aim is to widen participation in higher education, boost skills in a cost-effective way for employers across the district and support growth and productivity within the West Yorkshire region.”
To discuss how our programmes can meet business needs email the Apprenticeships team at apprenticeships@leeds.ac.uk
Further information
Please contact Jane Lewis in the University of Leeds press office at j.lewis3@leeds.ac.uk