Telecoms giant BT has announced millions of pounds in apprenticeship funding aimed at supporting smaller companies, charities and public sector organisations across England.
BT Group has partnered with training provider Babington to transfer up to £4 million from its apprenticeship levy funds to help train new apprentices and upskill existing workforces.
BT said the fund could support up to 550 apprentices.
Chris Sims, managing director for small and medium business (SMEs) at BT, said: “SMEs make a significant contribution to our economy, but their uptake of apprenticeships is low.
“By sharing up to £4 million from our apprenticeship levy funds, we’re giving these businesses the financial support they need to invest in talent.
“This not only helps create a more skilled, diverse and competitive workforce, it also provides SMEs with additional resources to grow and scale their business.
“The apprenticeship programme at BT has not only shaped our workforce, it has also helped set industry standards.”
Jen Bramley, chief executive of Babington, said: “Our expertise in apprenticeships and training will ensure that SMEs can navigate the process smoothly and connect with high-quality training providers.
“This collaboration has the potential to make a real difference in addressing skills gaps and supporting business growth across England.”
BT said a key focus of the initiative will be digital skills development, reflecting its emphasis on technology and innovation in its apprenticeship programmes.
The fund is open to SMEs, charities and public sector organisations across England, including the NHS, focusing on apprentices aged 22 and older.
It aims to support local economic growth, reduce the digital divide and enhance social mobility by providing quick access to apprenticeship funding.
BT has recruited more than 3,000 apprentices and graduates over the past five years and earlier this year announced plans to hire a further 500 for its September intake.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here