Sandwell Council is set to help local companies take on new staff – by sharing funding aimed at boosting the number of people doing apprenticeships.
The council has taken on almost 300 apprentices since the start of the Apprenticeship Levy scheme in May 2017.
Now the council is planning to transfer some of the money from a fund called The Apprenticeship Levy to help businesses fund the cost of qualifications done as part of apprenticeships.
The council is set to make up to £250,000 a year available to local firms.
Apprenticeships can be done by anybody of any age and several different qualifications in a range of careers and trades are available.
Councillor Danny Millard, cabinet member skills and employment, said: “We have really embraced apprenticeships at Sandwell Council. Not only have we taken on many new employees through apprenticeships, we have also put many of our existing staff through apprenticeship qualifications to boost their skills.
“We are looking at using some of the apprenticeship funding available to help local businesses to take on apprentices, which will contribute to economic growth, support people into jobs and improve skills within the workforce.”
A report on the proposal is to be considered by the council’s cabinet at a meeting on Wednesday 26 June.
