Serco levy gift will fund 80 apprenticeships
Serco has gifted over £400,000 from its apprenticeship levy fund to help create training and job opportunities in the care services sector.
The funds will be distributed across nine UK care companies, enabling approximately 80 employees to access learning and development opportunities.
One of the care providers to benefit is LDC Care Co.
The Kent-based company provides personalised support to adults with learning disabilities, autism, and mental health issues to help them reach their full potential and lead more independent lives.
The family-run business believes strongly in providing staff with career progression opportunities, with team members able to gain Adult Care Worker apprenticeship qualifications ranging from Level 2 to 5.
Image: The Glen Care Home run by LDC Care Co.Committed to staff training and development
Joseph Taylor, learning and development coordinator at LDC Care Co explained why the funds would make a difference:
“We are very proud of the work our support workers do and the dedication they show to our service users. We are constantly looking to develop them so they can continue to provide outstanding care.
"This could not be done without the generous funding provided to us by Serco allowing us to place staff on qualifications that will continue to develop them into the best support workers, managers, and coordinators they can be.
"We are excited that we can not only enhance the skills of our staff but can also offer them the chance to study qualifications that will allow them to begin building a career in healthcare.
"This in turn improves the lives of our service users, enabling those who support them to assist them to live the most fulfilling lives possible, exploring and accessing new opportunities allowing them to experience life to the full."
Image: Dylan Wilby, maintenance apprentice for LDC Care Co.
Serco support through apprenticeship levy gifting
To date Serco has gifted over £1.4m since February 2021, enabling 29 SMEs to provide training for 162 members of staff. It has committed to fund ongoing apprenticeship training over the next three years to help bridge skills gaps and boost local economies.
Amy Crabb, learning and development director at Serco, said: “We are thrilled that we can support local communities by working closely with small and medium-sized businesses, such as LDC Care Co.
“It has helped us gain valuable insights into their specific needs and how this gifting can make a tangible impact. Our primary goal is not only to increase job opportunities but also to empower people to develop their skills and capabilities further through apprenticeships.
"By doing so, we can help them progress their careers and provide even better services to the communities that need them the most.”
Image: Bola Lawal, support worker apprentice for LDC Care Co.
Investing in employment opportunities
The Apprenticeship Levy is a specially ringfenced training fund that all employers with an annual salary bill of over £3m automatically pay into. The system was launched in 2017 to encourage large organisations to invest in apprenticeships.
As part of the programme large employers can gift up to 25% of their levy fund to small and medium sized employers to cover apprenticeship training and assessments.
Amy continued: “Through initiatives like this, we can support care services and create a positive impact on both the workforce and the communities they serve.
"By investing in upskilling and employment opportunities, we can create a brighter future for all involved.”
To find out more about the apprenticeships offered at Serco visit Apprenticeships (serco.com)
