By KLTV Newsdesk –

In a significant boost for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in West Yorkshire, a total of £9 million has been pledged by large employers to fund hundreds of apprenticeships.

The announcement was made by Mayor Tracy Brabin on Small Business Saturday (7 December), highlighting a new £3 million package dedicated to apprenticeships.

Regional Initiative Links Large Employers with SMEs

This funding is part of a regional initiative designed to connect large employers with smaller businesses to create new apprenticeship opportunities. So far, Mayor Brabin has delivered £6 million from large employers, facilitating 1,000 apprenticeships within SMEs.

Collaborations with Major Employers

By collaborating with major employers like Bradford-based Morrisons, the Mayor has ensured that funds, which would typically go to the Treasury, are instead utilised to support local SMEs. Mayor Brabin commended the large employers participating in her apprenticeships scheme for helping to “keep the West Yorkshire pound in West Yorkshire.” These employers use the apprenticeship levy, a mandatory percentage of their annual pay bill, to support SMEs in the region.

Prominent Contributors and Their Impact

Prominent contributors include ASDA, which has funded new apprentice PCSOs and call handlers for West Yorkshire Police; Howdens, which has increased the number of construction workers building crucial new infrastructure; and Card Factory, which has allocated funding to upskill individuals into essential healthcare roles, strengthening the NHS frontline.

Statements from Key Figures

Mayor Tracy Brabin expressed her enthusiasm: “By teaming up with our region’s biggest businesses, we’ll create £9 million worth of apprenticeships in smaller firms, giving a thousand people the skills they need to succeed.

“Our innovative apprenticeships scheme is putting more money in people’s pockets, growing the workforce of our small and medium-sized businesses, and keeping the West Yorkshire pound here in West Yorkshire, boosting our economy.

“By partnering with business, we’re upskilling people into the vital jobs we need to build a stronger, brighter region.”

Clare Grainger, Group People and Corporate Services Director at Morrisons, also praised the initiative: “We’re proud of Morrisons’ ongoing commitment to apprenticeships, building skills, and supporting the next generation of leaders in our company.

“In partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Morrisons has shared £1 million of apprenticeship funding to help other local businesses and public sector organisations develop their workforces.
“This is an important part of our commitment to the region and will help to ensure critical sectors have the skilled professionals they need.”

A2Z Learning Centre in Bradford is one of the SMEs benefiting from Morrisons’ apprenticeship funding.

The centre provides childcare for children aged 5 to 15 and offers wrap-around support for families, including classes for parents, activities for children, and food vouchers for struggling households.

Shaziya Younas, Director at A2Z Learning Centre Ltd, expressed her gratitude: “As a director at A2Z Learning Centre, we are thankful to Morrisons for funding and supporting the Apprenticeship Training Programme.

“This has given us the opportunity to grow as an organisation as well as provide opportunities for existing and new staff, so they can engage in learning programmes to enhance our services and improve the value achieved from having well-trained staff.”

Fawziyah, an apprentice at A2Z Learning Centre, shared her positive experience: “Being on the apprenticeship programme has been amazing, and has opened many doors for me that I never would have been able to do myself.

“I am thankful for the support that I have had from my managers at A2Z Learning Centre and the support from my co-workers has also been phenomenal.

“Learning on the job has been the absolute best way for me to gain new skills for my current role and for the future.”

Apprenticeships provide individuals with the opportunity to earn money while gaining the qualifications and experience needed to pursue their passions and progress into secure, well-paid employment.

Sector Focus: Health and Care

More than half (531) of the places funded through the West Yorkshire Mayor’s apprenticeships scheme so far are in the health and care sector, with hundreds of aspiring pharmacy assistants, physiotherapists, and paramedics currently being trained.

Mayor Brabin encourages large employers interested in pledging some of their apprenticeship funding, as well as SMEs that could benefit from this funding to take on an apprentice, to find out more about the scheme online. The aim is to reach £10 million by the New Year.