Transfer of Apprenticeship Levy makes a huge difference for individual apprentices, and the skills and employment system. NW NHS Trusts underspend around £12M, money lost to the system which could be spent on growing a skilled workforce.

Attending the “LSIP Conference” in November 2023 provided the NW NHS Levy Transfer Service an opportunity to promote to a wider audience of employers the set up they have in place to facilitate transfers. The team identify requests for apprenticeship funding, matchmake them with an organisation with Levy Funds available for gifting and support the employers with the required administration processes.

Last year, the Countess of Chester hospital transferred over £52,000 of their Levy to other organisations in their areas such as GP practices, care homes, nursing homes and hospices to support their staff to develop through apprenticeships.

“I am really glad the levy allows us to help support training for non-levy payers whose services impact the hospital and the health and social care system in our region. We have supported staff in these organisations to undertake apprenticeships such as Nursing Associate, Assistant Practitioner, Registered Nurse and Adult Care Worker to name a few.”

 Molly Whelan Vocational Development Manager COCH