Helping businesses to navigate the skills landscape

22 April 2025

Promotional blog in partnership with Skill Up Somerset. To find out more about promotional blogs, please email marketing@somerset-chamber.co.uk.

Skill Up Somerset is a free, impartial, apprenticeship and skills advisory service for businesses and individuals in Somerset. Helping businesses to find the right skills solutions and introduce them to local training provision.  Being part of the Dorset and Somerset Training Provider Network (DSTPN), means the apprenticeship and skills advisers are well placed to understand the local provision.

Skill Up Advisers can explain the funding available, including the Apprenticeship Levy and how the programmes work, from approved apprenticeships to developing your own Skills Bootcamps.

Many myths still surround apprenticeships and, with evolving initiatives such as the Skills Bootcamps, local businesses may be missing an opportunity to use government funded programmes to upskill and attract new members of their workforce.

Apprenticeships

• Recruit new staff or upskill current workforce, no upper age limit
• Level 2 to 7 (equivalent GCSE to Masters)
• Over 700 standards developed, covering 1,500 job roles
• Government fund 95% of the training costs (100% funded for those under 21), our advisers can explore a levy transfer so 100% of the training and assessment costs are covered if needed
• Supported apprenticeship for those with additional needs, with the support required.

Apprenticeship Levy Transfer

• Large employers with unspent Apprenticeship Levy funds, can support smaller employers either in the local area or within the sector or supply chain within Somerset, meeting your company social values.  Skill Up can support with the match and transfer.

Skills Bootcamps (across Somerset and Dorset)

• Short modular programs, up to 16 weeks, minimum of 60 hours guided leaning
• Adults aged 19 or over
• Upskilling current staff or train potential new staff
• Designed with your help to meet your training needs
• Generous Government co-investment
• Programme content and delivery model is not driven by qualifications, it is driven by the business need.

DSTPN has also produced Business Skills Directories to explain and simplify the training opportunities available to businesses and to guide you on the skills development, education, and training options available.

To discuss your skills needs contact Skill Up at hello@skillupsomerset.org.uk.