Community First Academy Trust

(Left to right: Damien Mason ICT Apprentice, Kieran Sherrington Facilities Management Apprentice and Jade Brooks Apprentice Teaching Assistant) The apprenticeships will be completed over 18 months with the opportunity to continue study routes into teaching or support staff pathways. The three apprentices have already been assigned to work at a specific academy within the trust, working in a defined role and learning alongside fully trained professionals. Along with work, the apprentices will also attend Wigan & Leigh College to complete the theory part of the apprenticeship. Sue Darbyshire, CEO comments, “The trust is passionate about working with budding young talent in our community, which is why apprenticeships are part of our business growth strategy. We will see even more apprentices join us following the introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy’’ Craig Holden Director of HR & Payroll comments, ‘’From April 2017 major changes will be introduced to the way in which the government funds apprenticeships. These changes will be known as the apprenticeship levy. We are however, delighted to welcome Damien, Kieran and Jade to Community First Academy Trust in advance of these changes being introduced, apprentices bring enthusiasm and a fresh perspective that will support our continuous growth strategy". Craig explains that from April 2017, both public and private sector employers* who have an employee payroll of more than £3million will be required to pay a levy of 0.5% on the payroll bill (less an allowance of £15,000). This will be paid to HMRC through PAYE and will be held in the employer’s digital account. For every £1 paid in by the employer, the government will contribute 10 pence. Once funds are paid into the account the employer can access these for 24 months. They are available to spend on accredited apprenticeship programmes for training and assessment. However, it’s worth noting that the funds cannot be used for additional expenses such as wages or overhead costs. Key facts about the apprenticeship levy at a glance: • The amount of payment required for the apprenticeship levy will be 0.5% of your payroll bill (when this bill is over £3 million). This will be paid through PAYE. • Organisations with a payroll below the threshold will not have to pay the levy. • Payments, once collected, will be stored in a digital account and can be redeemed via approved apprenticeship schemes. • The apprenticeship levy cannot be used for additional expenses, overheads and wages. • Levy payments must be used within 18 months. • For every £1 paid in levy payments, employers will be given an additional 10 pence by the government, paid into their digital account. • Organisations not paying the levy, will continue to receive government support. This will be migrated to a digital account from 2018. Apprenticeships are for ambitious people of all ages who want to earn while they learn, gaining real skills and knowledge. Community First Academy Trust offers its apprentices a fantastic starting salary of £12,000 a year and the opportunity to train and develop valuable transferable skills, to learn job specific skills in the workplace. Applications for the 2017 will open in spring 2017. To register your interest and apply for an apprenticeship role at Community First Academy Trust, please visit our website.

Link: http://www.cfat.org.uk/