Book a free consultation to kickstart your apprenticeship or find out how a new hub can help your business

As National Apprenticeship Week starts today, the brand new South Yorkshire Apprenticeship Hub is offering comprehensive support for small to medium sized businesses (SMEs) and apprentices. Find out how it can help you.
Ad Feature by South Yorkshire Apprenticeship Hub
Published 5th Feb 2024, 07:00 BST
Fliss Miller, South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority’s Director of Skills, at the South Yorkshire Apprenticeship Hub launch. Picture – Joe HornerFliss Miller, South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority’s Director of Skills, at the South Yorkshire Apprenticeship Hub launch. Picture – Joe Horner
Fliss Miller, South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority’s Director of Skills, at the South Yorkshire Apprenticeship Hub launch. Picture – Joe Horner

While apprenticeships are in the news this week, South Yorkshire Apprenticeship Hub is promoting its ‘one-stop shop’ service to help SMEs access the talent they need to fill skill shortages and create new jobs.

It also offers information to young people, their parents and carers; as well as anyone looking to change their career, or re-enter the workforce.

The recently launched hub provides impartial advice across the Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield area. It is funded by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) and the South Yorkshire Colleges Partnership.

Book a free consultation with the new South Yorkshire Apprenticeship Hub to kickstart your career. Picture – Joe Horner.Book a free consultation with the new South Yorkshire Apprenticeship Hub to kickstart your career. Picture – Joe Horner.
Book a free consultation with the new South Yorkshire Apprenticeship Hub to kickstart your career. Picture – Joe Horner.

South Yorkshire Apprenticeship Hub is also supporting the seventh South Yorkshire Apprenticeship Awards which will take place in Rotherham in May.

Meeting skills shortage

Training new apprentice talent can meet your organisations’ skills needs and develop your workforce for the future, as well as improve productivity.

The Government contributes 95% of the training costs for small businesses and the South Yorkshire Apprenticeship Hub can help to find the right apprentice.

Business and education leaders at the launch of the South Yorkshire Apprenticeship Hub. [From left to right: Jack Kidder, Responsible Business Manager, Henry Boot, Fliss Miller, Director of Skills at SYMCA; Keith Richardson, Manager of the South Yorkshire Apprenticeship Hub; Andrew Hartley, Deputy Chief Executive, The Sheffield College, and Dan Fell, Chief Executive Officer of Doncaster Chamber of Commerce]. Picture – Joe HornerBusiness and education leaders at the launch of the South Yorkshire Apprenticeship Hub. [From left to right: Jack Kidder, Responsible Business Manager, Henry Boot, Fliss Miller, Director of Skills at SYMCA; Keith Richardson, Manager of the South Yorkshire Apprenticeship Hub; Andrew Hartley, Deputy Chief Executive, The Sheffield College, and Dan Fell, Chief Executive Officer of Doncaster Chamber of Commerce]. Picture – Joe Horner
Business and education leaders at the launch of the South Yorkshire Apprenticeship Hub. [From left to right: Jack Kidder, Responsible Business Manager, Henry Boot, Fliss Miller, Director of Skills at SYMCA; Keith Richardson, Manager of the South Yorkshire Apprenticeship Hub; Andrew Hartley, Deputy Chief Executive, The Sheffield College, and Dan Fell, Chief Executive Officer of Doncaster Chamber of Commerce]. Picture – Joe Horner

Keith Richardson, Manager, South Yorkshire Apprenticeship Hub , said: ““Small to medium sized employers are the lifeblood of our economy.”

He added: “The South Yorkshire Apprenticeship Hub provides free impartial advice that helps SMEs to develop their workforce and get the right skills for growth.”

South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard said: “South Yorkshire doesn’t just need a bigger economy, we need a better economy. But if we’re going to get there, and if everyone is going to be able to access the jobs and opportunities that the new economy will bring, we need to make sure people have the right educational skills, so they can access opportunity wherever it might be.

“That’s what our new Apprenticeship Hub is all about; offering people, organisations and businesses a ‘one-stop shop’ for all the information and support they need to get the right skills, in the right place, so we can all benefit from more jobs, grow.”

Access funds with matchmaking service

Alongside the hub, a new Apprenticeship Levy Matchmaking Service has also recently been unveiled.

The service supports larger employers to donate part of their unspent apprenticeship levy to support SMEs in funding apprentices.

The levy is paid by large employers with a ‘pay bill’ of more than £3m and is set at a rate of 0.5% of their total annual pay bill.

Large employers can access their levy funds to pay for apprenticeship training and their contributions can also fund training for smaller employers, who would otherwise pay 5% of the cost of apprenticeships.

How to kickstart your career ambitions

For free impartial advice, book an online consultation with South Yorkshire Apprenticeship Hub.

Apprenticeships give you the opportunity to earn as you learn in the workplace, develop industry skills and gain qualifications for your future career.

Apprenticeships are offered at various levels, as well as across a wide range of professions and trades.

From digital marketing and design to catering, education, health, science and transport, there are many options to choose from.

South Yorkshire Apprenticeship Hub will help you to find the best apprenticeship option, and support you every step of the way.

Book online consultation

To book a free online consultation with the South Yorkshire Apprenticeship Hub or more information click here.