Join Oaklands Business Breakfast to get the lowdown on Apprenticeships

WELWYN GARDEN CITY — Businesses across Hertfordshire are invited to swot up their knowledge of changes to affect them under the Apprenticeship Levy and GCSEs, at a free breakfast event in Welwyn Garden City.

The ‘Apprenticeships – brilliant for your business’ event will bring together a group of the county’s key employers with representatives from local council, further education, working apprentices and key figures in local schooling to discuss that latest issues affecting engaging with and employing young people.

With the way government funds apprenticeship training changing in spring 2017, the business breakfast gives the opportunity to learn, network and share experiences with fellow employers.

In addition to changes to the funding of apprenticeship training for all employers, all employers with a pay bill of over £3 million a year will be required to pay the Apprenticeship Levy, an obligatory nationwide percentage investment in apprenticeships. With the arrival of Digital Apprenticeships challenging the way apprenticeships are structured, the breakfast will give important insight into the all-important return on investment and the GCSE grading changes which also come into effect next academic year.

In partnership with Welwyn Hatfield Council andSir Frederic Osbourn School, the two- hour breakfast session held at Oaklands College Welwyn Garden City campus will give the opportunity to make sense of the jargon, meet real-life apprentices and network with like-minded employers to get ahead of the game before changes come into effect in 2017.

Oaklands Principal Zoe Hancock is backing the event to talk about Apprenticeship Reform. She said: “There are some big changes on the horizon for employers next year and this a great opportunity to get one step ahead.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re currently employing apprentices or completely new to the scene – these changes will affect everyone and it’s important to us to support the local business community.  Any changes in education and training will invariably affect not just our students but also the local business landscape. I look forward to welcoming you to join us for what will be an informative and useful session.”

Places are limited – secure yours now and RSVP to www.welhatworkshop.eventbrite.co.uk.