Give your business the competitive edge in 2017
BUSINESS NEWS
Get the most out of the Apprenticeship Levy
Give your business a competitive advantage whilst capitalising on the Apprenticeship Levy due in April 2017 by providing your employees with the university level skills they need to achieve their full potential.
From 1 April 2017 all businesses with an annual pay bill of £ 3 million or more will be required to pay the new Apprenticeship Levy. This payment will be made through HMRC’ s PAYE process.
University level skills service, Higher Futures offers free, impartial advice including how to capitalize on the Apprenticeship Levy and recoup this funding to train apprentices up to degree level. Higher Futures can:
• Advise on how this will work in practice
• Assess current training provision, potentially delivered using the levy
• Plan future training progression pathways using the levy
• Look at new opportunities for training to fill skills gaps
• Facilitate the creation of new trailblazer standards with you and others in your industry
• Provide an overview of various training solutions
Mandy Timbrell, Higher Futures Manager said“ Employers sometimes find it difficult to recruit people with the right skills, and local courses are not often available to meet training needs. Higher Futures provides free impartial information, advice and guidance on accessing potential tailored training packages, created in partnership with nationally based university level providers. One of our team will visit to find out more about the business and possible skills gaps, developing a free Training Needs Analysis( TNA).”
Higher Futures also works closely with the military community, acting as a conduit to this valuable asset. The service equally benefits any business not subject to the Apprenticeship Levy, including micro and start-up. Find out more about how the team can help your business secure the training your employees need and source any funding available. Call 01225 756174, email: HigherFutures @ swlep. co. uk or visit the website www. higherfutureshub. co. uk Estimate your apprenticeship level visit: www. higherfutureshub. co. uk / business / apprenticeship-levy /
OPEN DAWES IN 2017
A new public speaking and presentation skills training firm has launched in Wiltshire.
Based in Swindon, Open Dawes Training, founded by Chris Dawes, has been set up to help anyone who may have to communicate with others; in professional, educational, group, sports or social situations.
Chris is a businessman turned sports commentator, and is regularly heard commentating at motor racing circuits around Europe. He has also gone on to present on the television and radio, and hosts awards nights and events. He is passionate about helping others become confident public speakers and has designed a series of public speaking & presentation training courses to help people convey the best image of themselves.
Chris said:“ This is a project of passion, having gone through the nerves of giving presentations at university and then in business, and training our Resellers’ sales forces to give business presentations. I found a way to do it, that enabled me to focus on the content of my delivery, the quality and bringing my personality out.
I really believe that anybody has the ability to do this and I want to empower others to not only master it, but enjoy the opportunity. By letting your voice be heard, it’ s unbelievable what doors it can open; as I have shown. Speaking up with / in front of
people enables you to inform, motivate, and win over / persuade people, which means it is relevant in every walk of life or professional position.
I now get paid to commentate on my favourite sport, present on TV and radio, and host awards nights etc. It’ s just a fabulous experience and all because I learnt to speak in public and not let those nerves get the better of me.”
If you have the ability to speak confidently in front of others, with conviction and passion, can master storytelling authoritatively and engagingly, and get your message over in a compelling way, the benefits both personally and professionally are significant!
Training courses can be provided in-house for organisations, in a public group course environment, or on a one-to-one basis at Open Dawes Training’ s offices.
For more info: www. opendawestraining. co. uk
01793 238259 swindonwiltshire
Local Enterprise Partnership
Give your business the competitive edge in 2017
Higher Futures can work with your business to up-skill your employees with locally delivered, bespoke higher level training solutions created in partnership with our nationally based university level providers, saving you time and money.
We can also help you capitalise on the Apprenticeship Levy
A dedicated HF skills broker will provide you with free, impartial advice and guidance which could include: Assess skill gaps and opportunities, advise on what training the levy can be used on( new training or existing training) and develop an action plan with you.
If you would like to know more contact: Email: HigherFutures @ swlep. co. uk Call: 01225 756174, or visit the website www. higherfutureshub. co. uk
Higher level skills service
Higher Futures is delivered by Wiltshire Council and Swindon Borough Council on behalf of Swindon and Wiltshire LEP
6 THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE 2017