College helps businesses to secure £333,000 in Apprenticeship funding

The College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL has helped secure £333,000 in Apprenticeship funding for businesses over the past four years.

From 2012-16 the College, which has centres in Tottenham and Enfield, supported 160 employers in London and northern Home Counties to access  the Apprenticeship Grant for Employers (AGE) programme.

AGE provides financial support to encourage companies to take on apprentices aged 16 to 24 which, subject to eligibility, is worth £1,500 per apprentice.

David Hannah, Operations Manager at Construction and Recruitment firm Fencross Contractors in Rainham, which has employed CONEL apprentices since 2013, said: “The College helped to set up our apprenticeship scheme and understand the funding options available to us.

“The staff were very knowledgeable and guided us through the process from start to finish, and made everything clear. The support we received was nothing short of excellent.”

AGE is set to be replaced under new funding reforms, including the Apprenticeship Levy, which will come into effect from May this year.

Alongside the levy, the Government is offering funding to companies willing to employ 16-18 year old apprentices, or those aged 19-24 leaving care or with a local authority healthcare plan.

Businesses will be paid in two instalments – £500 three months after the apprentice has started and the remaining £500 after 12 months if the apprentice is still employed.

Our achievement rates at CONEL are very high and we were recently named the best college in London, and among the top 20 nationally, for employer satisfaction in 2016.

A survey last year also found 95% of employers were very happy with the training provided by CONEL and 97% saw improvements in employee skills and productivity.

Jackie Chapman, Director of Employability and Employer Engagement, said: “At CONEL we’re committed to supporting employers in recruiting local jobseekers and helping 16-18 year olds start their careers on an apprenticeship.

“We’ve an excellent record working with employers, and will continue to offer our advice and expertise to support companies to gain the financial support they need to deliver high quality training and employment opportunities.”

As part of National Apprenticeship Week the College will be holding a Business Breakfast for employers to find out more about apprenticeship training and the new levy.

If would like to attend or know more, call the CONEL Apprenticeship Team on 020 8442 3442 or visit www.conel.ac.uk/appweek.