Decision details

Cath Shaw, Interim Deputy Chief Executive and Commissioning Director for Growth & Development, LB Barnet presented a report on the Apprenticeship Levy.  The report identified that from May 2017 larger employers would be charged a levy of 0.5% of their pay bill to fund an additional 3 million apprenticeships by 2020.  Partners were requested to consider ways that they could work together to maximise the use of contributions and promote opportunities to local residents.

The Board suggested that consideration should be given to the ways that small and micro businesses could benefit from apprentices and it was proposed that there should be coordination across Barnet.  A Board Member suggested that pre-employment routes (such as training) should be taken linked into the local approach to apprenticeships.  Partners considered that apprenticeships should be high quality with a focus on outcomes. 

A Board Member identified that for large projects involving multiple contractors that there could be an issue with the quality of apprentices.  It was suggested that for the larger and more complex projects, the Board may wish to consider expanding the pool of candidates to the West London sub-region rather than Barnet only.

It was noted that retail and hospitality were large sectors in the borough and that partners should consider how to include this in Barnet’s approach to apprentices.

The Board highlighted that it could be difficult for small businesses to absorb apprentices into the business in the long-term.  In cases where they were able to absorb apprentices, progression could be an issue.  It was suggested that a West London or pan-London approach to apprentices and small businesses could be helpful.

RESOLVED that:

1.    the implications of the Apprenticeship Levy be noted; and

2.    the Board take into account the suggestions detailed above when developing Barnet’s approach to collaboration on apprenticeships.