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BIFA welcomes boost to forwarding apprenticeships
[ January 14, 2020 // Chris ]The British International Freight Association (BIFA) has welcomed the Government’s announcement that it will expand access to the apprenticeship service to employers beyond the existing 22,000 apprenticeship levy-payers, saying that it will be of great benefit to many of its members.
Director general Robert Keen explains that 90% of BIFA corporate members are smaller enterprises that do not qualify as levy-payers and have had restricted access to the apprenticeship service to date.
He said: “This means that small and medium—sized enterprises within our membership will have greater control over the apprenticeships with which they engage, and could lead to a significant increase in the number of individuals enrolling on the International Freight Forwarding Specialist apprenticeship, in which BIFA had a significant role prior to its launch in 2018.”
The early transition period through until March will be an initial test phase, during which time the EFSA will undertake large scale testing, seeking feedback from smaller employers and training providers. During the transition EFSA will continue to run contracts with training providers so smaller employers can choose how they access apprenticeship funding, joining the apprenticeship service when they feel they are ready.
During the test phase, additional funding will be made available for up to 15,000 new starts through the service. EFSA will also allow smaller firms to reserve funds for training.
Keen adds: “Any BIFA Member should contact one of the apprentice providers who will be able to help them navigate through the process. It is important to act quickly and there is an option to reserve funding, with which one of the apprentice providers will be able to assist.”