Businesses based in Halifax now have access to £35,000 of funding to deliver apprenticeship training, thanks to a levy-transfer scheme set up by Covéa Insurance and local further education provider, Calderdale College.

The scheme will specifically target businesses based in the Park and Warley wards, Calderdale neighbourhoods which fall within the top 10 per cent of the most multiple deprived areas in England.*

The levy-transfer scheme has been designed to upskill residents and support business growth in these areas, as the district tackles the effects of COVID-19, with six participants already confirmed. Funding for training will be transferred to businesses from Covéa Insurance’s apprenticeship levy and the training will be delivered by Calderdale College.

There are over 150 employers based within the Park and Warley wards, in sectors ranging from construction and electrical, to motor vehicle, warehousing and retail. Covéa Insurance and Calderdale College are encouraging companies to take up the apprenticeship funding in order to futureproof their business and increase employment opportunities for local residents.

Matthew Metcalfe, Senior Manager – Talent Acquisition at Covéa Insurance, said of the transfer: “We launched this funding scheme with Calderdale College because we want to support local businesses as they tackle the challenges they are facing from COVID-19. We hope that these apprenticeships will help increase the employment opportunities in deprived areas locally where unemployment is higher than the national average.”

Claire Williams, Head of Employer Engagement – Apprenticeships at Rise, Calderdale College’s service for employers, added: “We wanted to be part of the solution for businesses struggling due to COVID-19, especially for those in underprivileged areas such as Park and Warley, and as an Ofsted-rated Outstanding Apprenticeships provider we are in a great position to be able to do offer this service.”

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