The UK Warehousing Association has welcome government plans to establish a new apprenticeships quality institute.
Chancellor George Osborne revealed the plan in the autumn statement as well as giving more detail on the apprenticeship levy.
CEO Peter Ward said: “The levy rate was set at 0.5 per cent of payroll costs including a £15,000 allowance to offset against costs of apprenticeships. Importantly, the government has decided that only the largest companies will pay the levy, while all companies will benefit. Those paying the levy will be companies whose payroll costs exceed £3m – this represents around two per cent of employers and it is expected that £3bn a year will be raised.
“This is great news for the industry; the government has recognised the issue of relevant skills shortage – a problem widely acknowledged in our sector and one of the ‘big messages’ being voiced by the UK Warehousing Association on behalf of the logistics world.”
The Government plan to establish an employer-led body to set apprenticeship standards and ensure quality was also welcomed by UKWA.
“The new institute will support the quality of apprenticeships standards, building on reforms led by the employer-driven trailblazer programme, an initiative that UKWA has been closely involved with, along with our members, helping ensure the apprenticeship standards for the logistics industry will be fit for purpose,” said Ward.
