Kirklees Council's Employment & Skills service offers a wide range of support for businesses looking to benefit from apprenticeships across the Kirklees district. This guidance is for those looking to recruit an apprentice and those who already employ apprentices within their business.

We provide advice on financial support, business support and recruitment support, plus much more.

The below information provides further details. However, if you are unsure about the type of support you can access, or the funding which you may be eligible for, please complete the contact form below and a member of the Employment & Skills team will contact you shortly to discuss this further.

About apprenticeships

Hiring an apprentice is a productive and effective way to grow talent and develop a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce - which is crucial to future-proofing your business. You can train your workforce and help them develop the necessary skills and knowledge they'll need to fill potential future skills gaps.

You'll also be offering someone a great way to gain skills, knowledge and expertise in a specific business area, whilst gaining qualifications and earning at the same time. This route is a great choice for anyone starting out in employment, but it can also help someone gain additional skills and qualifications to progress within their chosen career.

Funding an apprentice

Thank you for your interest in the Kirklees Apprenticeship Grant. Applications are now closed. To stay informed about future funding opportunities please subscribe to the Business Kirklees Newsletter. For further support with recruitment or upskilling, including apprenticeships please email EmploymentHub.Employers@kirklees.gov.uk

The Kirklees Levy Transfer

If you are a SME within the Kirklees district, who does not pay into the apprenticeship levy, you could benefit from the Kirklees Levy transfer. Applications are open to SMEs from any sector, allowing you the opportunity to access available funds to finance/part finance apprenticeship qualifications up to and including Level 4. This is dependent on apprentices being paid National Minimum wage.

Recruiting an apprentice

Kirklees Council supports local employers to source enthusiastic and energetic employees into their business. They can help you source and recruit apprentices to match your skills gap and meet your business requirements.

They can provide support in the following areas:

• Look at your recruitment processes and review your job descriptions to maximise the number of apprentices applying
• Put you in contact with candidates who are ready to start
• Help to screen applications - advertise, interview and shortlist for your consideration
• Support to manage your new employee's transition into your workplace through in-work support

Upskilling via an apprenticeship and supporting your business

Kirklees Council can assist with your future workforce planning and help you consider whether your current workforce could 'upskill' via an apprenticeship. The programme offers wrap-around support for apprentices, managers of apprentices, and businesses who employ apprentices.

They can provide support in the following areas:

• Support to spend the Apprenticeship Levy or access Levy Transfer
• Provide skills gap analysis to assist employers to identify skills gaps and how it can be addressed using apprenticeships
• Supporting employers to build internal capacity to provide support and career development for staff through training for line managers and supervisors
• Wrap around services to help individuals to access apprenticeships; literacy/numeracy, softer skills and career planning
• Business mentoring and peer to peer support sharing employer good practice and success stories
• Provide support for mental health & wellbeing, getting the work/life balance right and feeling fulfilled

Contact us

Think an apprenticeship could be the right move for your business? Contact our dedicated team to discuss your options.

Contact Employment and Skills Support