More than £250,000 is available to help support businesses in the borough who want to take on apprentices.
The cash is available through Dudley Council’s apprenticeship levy.
This year the local authority has £255,000 of unspent levy to share with businesses looking to start taking on apprentices, or add to the number of trainees they employ.
Cash is also available for businesses to train and upskill existing employees as part of business growth plans.
It ties in with The Dudley Deal, an informal agreement between the council and anyone who lives, works or runs a business in the borough. The Business Deal commits the local authority to support borough businesses in any way possible.
Levy cash can be used to fund qualification standards – from level 2 to level 7 – but cannot pay for the cost of salaries. The funds are used to pay for the qualification charged by the training provider of the businesses’ choice.
The council has a dedicated skills and business advisor available to work with firms to help identify whether an apprenticeship is suitable for a company, and can help advise on suitable types of apprenticeship.
Applications from all sectors will be considered but there is particular interest in supporting businesses in health, adult social care, advanced manufacturing and childcare.
Councillor Simon Phipps, cabinet member for procurement, transformation and commercialisation, said:
For further information about the council’s apprenticeship support programme please visit www.dudley.gov.uk/business/fund-to-support-businesses-develop-employees
