Webinar: Making sense of the 2021 budget, incentives and funding

BCS’ Annette Allmark, Head of Apprenticeships and Zoe Spilberg Head of Education (Product) were both joined by Simon Ashworth of the Association of Employment and Learning Providers, who explained the incentives and BCS’ offering moving forward.

Simon explored and explained the key announcements that have taken place since July 2020. This culminated in the latest budget package related to Apprenticeships and Traineeships, explaining the basics of each of these - including the Kickstart Scheme.

He also ran through the new Lifetime Skills Guarantee Level 3 Adult Offer and Digital and Technical Bootcamps, two initiatives currently being championed by the right honourable, Gillian Keegan Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Apprenticeships and Skills.

BCS Head of Education (Product), Zoe Spilberg gave an overview of the BCS Essential Digital Skills for Work qualifications including entry level, level 1 and ECDL / ICDL qualifications.

Annette Allmark, Head of Apprenticeships at BCS explained the need for better digital skills in the UK - and the significant opportunities available to employers and candidates to use the new government incentives. In short, with significant government funding up for grabs, there has never been a better time to invest in skills and careers through apprenticeships.

What support is available from April 2021?

To help you navigate the changes and make the most of the funding available here’s a handy summary;

For employers:

1. Furlough extended until September 2021.
2. New hire apprenticeship incentives up to £3k for all age groups.
3. £1k grant for apprentices aged 16-18.
4. Non-levy paying companies will no longer have a cap on apprenticeship numbers.
5. £1,200 payment for employers taking on a trainee through kickstart.
6. Traineeship grants of £1k - up to 10 per region across nine regions.
7. Digital and training bootcamps - funded training for career changers / returners.
8. EDSQ - training for all 16+ adults who have low or no digital skills.

For candidates:

Apprenticeships

• Apprenticeship minimum wage increases from £4.15ph to £4.30ph.
• Guarantee of a 12 month+ job with at least 20% on the job training.

Traineeships

• Increase in traineeships for ages 19+ in need of work experience.
• Minimum of six weeks to 12 months - qualifications add value not focus.

Kickstart

• Aimed at people with fewer employment opportunities on Universal Credit.
• Six month paid work placement, on minimum wage. No minimum requirements.

Lifetime skills guarantee

• Funding available to train anyone who is not at a level 3 qualification.
• 387 courses including VRQs, Occupational Qualifications, A-levels, AS-levels and more.

BCS digital apprenticeships

Existing:

• Data Technician
• Cyber Security Technician
• DevOps Engineer
• Artificial Intelligence Data Specialist
• Digital Community Manager
• IT Solutions Technician (Hardware or Software)
• Digital Support Technician (Applications or Service)

Coming soon:

• Data Analyst
• Cyber Security Technologist
• Information Communications Technician
• Business Analyst
• Software Development Technician
• Software Tester
• Software Developer
• Network Engineer

Training providers:

Digital apprenticeships with BCS

Employers:

Digital IT apprenticeships for your team