Autism Initiatives Seeks More Partnerships with Levy Transfer Supporters

Autism Initiatives is proud to have partnered with a range of corporate supporters over the years, as part of our commitment to the learning and development opportunities we provide.

This summer, we celebrated our outstanding apprenticeship success rate result. The Education and Skills Funding Agency found that we had achieved an 86% success rate for health and social care apprenticeships.

The result is a reflection of the fantastic support we have received from corporate supporters and our charity’s commitment to the Apprenticeship Ambassador Network and we are now looking for more partners to help us further expand this staff training and support.

Previously, we were delighted to receive the first transfer of its kind in the Liverpool City Region, which saw us receive £132,000 of unspent Apprenticeship Levy from Liverpool John Moores University. This was greatly welcomed by local officials as well as ourselves with Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, saying: “As a former apprentice I have always backed apprenticeships as a great way for individuals to progress and for businesses to develop the skills they need. This transfer allowed 44 operational staff to enrol onto and complete Adult Care apprenticeships. A further levy transfer of £21,000 has since been received from LJMU which supported 7 support staff to enrol onto and complete relevant Health and Social Care qualifications.

Over the past four years, we have also worked in partnership with the COOP Levy share programme, which saw Directline transfer £35000, Greencore gift £ 42,000 and Amazon pledge to donate £108,000 excess funds to support apprenticeship training throughout Autism Initiatives England services. This was a significant milestone for us as a charity, as it allowed us to make the apprenticeship scheme more accessible to our whole workforce in England. Enabling us to recruit an  Information Technology apprentice and enrol a School Business Manager at Peterhouse school onto a management degree apprenticeship.

Following this support, Learning & Development Manager, Cait McDermott shared:  “The positivity and empowerment our staff feel when they’ve successfully achieved their apprenticeship standard is incredible. Thanks to the additional levy transfers from Directline, Greencore and Amazon, we’ve been able to support 54 extra employees to work towards apprenticeships. We are really appreciative of their support!”

Additionally, we were grateful to be the recipient of levy funds from Excelcare part of the Castlebar Healthcare Group, who pledged to donate £70,000 of their excess funds from the Government’s levy fund. This fantastic donation was used to deliver 21 Adult Care apprenticeships through training provider, Partnership Training, who had supported our introduction to Excelcare.

Further gifts of levy, in excess of £175,000, from shopping channel QVC and NHS trusts in Liverpool, Aintree and the Wirral have also supported 59 staff to complete apprenticeships in Adult Care.  These were supported though our partnership work with Liverpool City Region Employer brokers.

“Levy transfers received from levy paying organisations have been instrumental in supporting 185 of our staff to enrol onto and complete role specific vocational qualifications. As a learning organisation we value professional development for all staff and are passionate in offering opportunities for staff to fulfil their aspirations, goals and potential.” Sandra Johnston Head of Learning and Development

If your organisation would like to support Autism Initiatives with a transfer of levy please contact us to find out more about how we can work together to help people have successful and rewarding careers in the care industry, or speak with Sandra Johnston, Head of Learning and Development AI Group and Employer Ambassador direct at sandra.johnston@autisminitiatives.org.uk