Hermes, one of the UK’s leading consumer delivery companies, has pledged over £200k of its apprenticeship levy funds to help support SMEs – the maximum amount it can in a year, under the government scheme. This will enable other companies to take on new apprentices or upskill existing ones, providing a valuable post pandemic boost for their businesses.
To help identify suitable companies and ensure the funds are being spent efficiently, helping those that will benefit most, Hermes is working closely with Leeds City Council, West Midlands Combined Authority and Total People, one of the largest providers of apprenticeships and work-based learning in the North-West of England.
In addition, businesses can see any pledges on a public website and apply for funding to pay for 100% of their apprenticeship training and assessment costs (up to the funding band maximum).
Martijn de Lange, CEO at Hermes UK, said: “At Hermes, we are fortunate to already have strong apprenticeship and training schemes in place, so we have taken the decision to gift some of our levy to SMEs that will benefit from it. This year has presented many challenges for all businesses, but particularly SMEs, so we’re proud to be able to support them in training their future workforces and providing their employees with increased lifelong earning potential.”
