More than 250 small and medium-sized employers have already recruited over 10 apprentices since the government removed a cap on starts last year. SMEs were restricted to a maximum of ten apprenticeship starts from 2020 until April 3, 2023. Ministers decided to abolish the cap after consecutive resets amid warnings from the Association of Employment and Learning Providers that non-levy paying businesses were being forced to turn apprentices away after hitting the limit. Skills minister Robert Halfon has recently revealed that 256 non-levy payers have recruited 11 or more apprentices since the policy change came into force 10 months ago. Tina McKenzie, policy chair at the Federation of Small Businesses, said: “It’s great to see so many non-levy payers taking on larger numbers of apprentices since the cap was lifted, bringing in lots of new talent for them to nurture.” Click here for more from FE Week.
