08 February 2021
As part of National Apprenticeship Week GO! Southampton is encouraging Southampton business owners and their employees to develop their skills and boost expertise within the workforce through higher and degree apprenticeships (HDAs) offered at Solent University.
The university offers a range of HDAs in areas such as healthcare, digital, engineering, construction and chartered management which provide learning that can add value to all levels of a business, large or small. These Solent University apprenticeships often have little cost attached to them, as the Government will co-invest, covering up to 95% of the fees and 100% of the cost for apprenticeships offered to 16-18 years by smaller businesses. Employers can find out more on the Solent apprenticeship guide here.
There are also incentive payments of up to £2,000 for employers who take on young apprentices before the end of March 2021, businesses can find out more here.
GO! Southampton’s Deputy Executive Rebecca Handley in now in the second year of her Senior Leaders Master’s Degree Apprenticeship at Solent University. When she finishes in 2022, Rebecca will obtain a Masters Degree and be Chartered Manager from the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).
During her apprenticeship Rebecca is developing her leadership skills, exploring decision-making processes and learning how to influence strategy in addition to other important principles which she is applying to her current work at GO! Southampton.
Rebecca was given the opportunity to undertake this course, whilst still working for GO! Southampton, from Southampton City Council through the Transfer to Transform scheme. The Transfer to Transform programme, launched last year by Solent Apprenticeship Hub in response to the pandemic, offers a chance for SMEs in the Solent region to benefit from larger business’s unutilised apprenticeship levy funds. Larger businesses such as Southampton City Council pledge their unspent money to SMEs for them to use to fund apprenticeships for their staff, helping them to build their skillset and give them a much needed boost through the challenges that they face. Find out more about the Transfer to Transform scheme here.
Rebecca Handley says, “Having up to date knowledge on leadership and being able to share best practice with others on my course has enabled us as an organisation to grow, become more resilient and be able to support our businesses more effectively at a critical time. We urge all of our businesses in the Southampton BID to take on apprenticeships if they can – it’s a fantastic way to increase business productivity and knowledge while attracting new talent and developing your existing workforce.”
Find out more about Solent University higher and degree apprenticeships on their website here. The university will be hosting a virtual drop-in session for apprentices and employers to find out more about Higher and Degree Apprenticeships on Wednesday 24 February, 12 – 2pm. If you would like to attend please email opendays@solent.ac.uk.