CTG submitted a response to the Scottish Government  consultation on the introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy across the UK. The consultation called for views on options for the use of the share that is to be transferred to the Scottish Government. The Scottish Government’s response can be read here. Scottish charities do not have Levy funds to spend, in the same way as English organisations, with the Scottish Government deciding how to allocate the funds collected, from what is a UK wide levy.

CTG’s response called on the Scottish Government to recognise the impact of the Levy on charities and to consider ways to provide funding for training opportunities that may be broader than the traditional definition of apprenticeships (and may include volunteer training). CTG’s response also noted that the planned date for the introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy (April 2017) should be delayed until satisfactory arrangements have been reached as to the use of devolved Governments allocations.

Consultation Questions

1. Should the Government’s commitment to 30,000 Modern Apprenticeships starts a year by 2020 a) be maintained or b) be increased?
2. Should Apprenticeship Levy funding support growth in the number of Graduate Level Apprenticeships in Scotland?
3. Should Apprenticeship Levy funding be used to establish a flexible skills fund to support wider workforce development?
4. Should Apprenticeship Levy funding be used to support the expansion of Foundation Apprenticeships?
5. Should Apprenticeship Levy funding be used to help unemployed people move into employment, and to help meet the workforce needs of employers?
6. Are there any additional suggestions on how Apprenticeship Levy funding might be used?