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The University of Oxford Apprenticeships team continues to support local businesses and charities by transferring unused Apprenticeship levy funds that can be used on Apprenticeship training. This will provide huge opportunities for SMEs who do not have the necessary funds, by enabling them 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 and so far the Apprenticeships team has committed to transferring a total of over £500,000 of unused levy to many organisations.  

OxLEP (Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership)

The University has transferred apprenticeship levy funds to OxLEP which can be used to fund the learning for their employees on apprenticeships. This partnership with OxLEP is a fantastic opportunity for us to support a company in the local area.

We asked Melanie Ringer, Skills Adviser at OxLEP (Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership Why the levy transfer was required and what training the transfer is being used for?

We requested levy transfer funding from the University of Oxford to help us create a New PR and Communications Apprenticeship to support the social contract programme and to provide a progression opportunity for Sophie Laurie-Lynch who joined us in December 2021 on a Kick-start placement.

What has the transfer meant to OxLEP?

We are really grateful to the University for supporting us with this opportunity to retain Sophie in our team and progress her career, but also to enable us to lead by example and speak from experience when encouraging other employers to consider apprenticeships and the benefits of sharing unused levy funds. Sophie plays an invaluable role in supporting the OxLEP skills team with communication and events. She designs and runs social media campaigns to promote local and national skills initiatives and creates engaging imagery for our social media channels. Sophie also plays a key role in the organisation and delivery of the Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards, an annual event that celebrates the achievements of Oxfordshire’s apprentices and those who support them along their journey.

About OxLEP

• OxLEP's role is to champion Oxfordshire's economic potential, acting as a catalyst and convener to drive a dynamic, sustainable and growing economy.
• Aim to ensure that every person who lives and works in the county is equipped with the skills they need to maximise their potential and meet the skills requirements of local employers.
• Promote apprenticeships and unlock the apprenticeship levy to help meet the area's skills needs and provide opportunities for local people.

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. Employers in England who pay the Levy, which include the University, 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. The levy is charged at a rate of 0.5% of an employer's pay bill.

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, these employers are able to transfer up to 25% of their annual funds. These funds can only be used to pay for training by a Government approved training provider.

If your business would be interested in applying for a transfer then please contact Leah Bryan from OxLEP on leah.bryan@oxfordshireLEP.com

OxLEP | Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (oxfordshirelep.com)

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