BT Group Unveils £4 Million Apprenticeship Fund to Strengthen SME Workforce and Drive Economic Growth

BT Group Unveils £4 Million Apprenticeship Fund to Strengthen SME Workforce and Drive Economic Growth

(IN BRIEF) BT Group has launched a £4 million Apprenticeship Fund aimed at helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), charities, and public sector organizations in England. Over the next four years, the fund will support these entities by providing access to apprenticeship training. Partnering with Babington, a leading apprenticeship training provider, BT will transfer funds from its apprenticeship levy to assist other organizations in upskilling their workforce. The fund could benefit up to 550 apprentices, delivering a potential £21 million positive economic impact. This initiative aligns with BT’s broader efforts to support SMEs with tools such as digital payment solutions and free cyber training.

(PRESS RELEASE) LONDON, 23-Sep-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — BT Group has launched a £4 million Apprenticeship Fund to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), charities, and public sector organizations across England enhance their workforce skills. This initiative will provide access to apprenticeship funding over the next four years, supporting businesses that are seeking to train new talent or upskill existing employees.

In collaboration with Babington, one of the largest apprenticeship training providers in the UK, BT Group will transfer up to £4 million from its apprenticeship levy to benefit other organizations. Babington will help match businesses with suitable training programs and simplify the application process. Eligible businesses can expect access to funded training within 20 days, provided they meet the funding requirements.

The Apprenticeship Fund could assist up to 550 apprentices, delivering an estimated £21 million in economic value. The initiative arrives at a critical time, as many mid-sized businesses face challenges in hiring apprentices.

Chris Sims, Managing Director for Small and Medium Business at BT, emphasized the importance of this fund in boosting the UK’s economy. “By sharing our apprenticeship levy, we’re giving SMEs the resources to invest in talent, creating a more skilled and competitive workforce while also enabling business growth.”

Babington CEO Jen Bramley expressed excitement about the partnership: “This collaboration will ensure SMEs receive the support they need to address skills gaps and promote business expansion.”

BT’s Apprenticeship Fund will focus on developing digital skills, a key area in today’s increasingly tech-driven economy. This initiative aligns with BT’s broader efforts to support SMEs, including the BT Tap to Pay app for contactless payments, free broadband for new customers, and free cyber awareness training for employees. The fund aims to enhance local economies, bridge the digital divide, and promote social mobility.

SMEs, charities, and public sector organizations—including the NHS—can apply for funding through the BT Group Apprenticeship Fund Portal. This initiative complements BT’s ongoing efforts to expand its apprenticeship programs, having hired over 3,000 apprentices and graduates in the last five years and committing to recruit 500 more by September 2024.

Notes to Editors

• In July, BT Group was ranked second in the Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers in the UK  and as part of its Manifesto for responsible, inclusive, and sustainable growth the company has pledged to build a more diverse talent pool.
• Research by CEBR found that for every £1 that is spent on apprenticeships, the national economy gains £21. This is high in comparison to other expenditure/returns on investment in the innovation, research and technology sectors range from around £4 – £7 per £1 spent.
• To find out more about the Apprenticeship Levy visit: Pay Apprenticeship Levy – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
• For more information on apprenticeships or graduate jobs at BT Group, please visit: bt.com/earlycareers
• Helping small businesses acquire new digital skills: 1.2m small business owners and their employees have upskilled through BT Group’s Skills for Tomorrow programme covering crucial topics, including how to prevent cyber-attacks and using social media to reach new customers.
• Supporting small businesses through mentoring: BT is supporting businesses via Digital Boost, a free non-profit platform uniting digital experts with leaders of small businesses and charities. Further details can be found here.
• BT Tap to Pay app: BT Tap to Pay | Contactless Payments | BT Business

1 Economic Impact of Apprenticeships – CEBR

2 Over a third of mid-sized businesses in the UK are unable to recruit apprentices – BDO

3 FSB | Small Business Index, Quarter 1, 2024

About BT Group

BT Group is the UK’s leading provider of fixed and mobile telecommunications and related secure digital products, solutions and services. We also provide managed telecommunications, security and network & IT infrastructure services to customers across 180 countries.

BT Group consists of three customer-facing units: Consumer serves individuals and families in the UK; Business covers companies and public services in the UK and internationally; Openreach is an independently governed, wholly owned subsidiary wholesaling fixed access infrastructure services to its customers – over 700 communications providers across the UK.

British Telecommunications plc is a wholly owned subsidiary of BT Group plc and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group. BT Group plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange.

For more information, visit www.bt.com/about

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SOURCE: British Telecommunications