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JE James Cycles to open first Barnsley store

ACT member and Cytech-accredited retailer JE James Cycles – one of the largest independent cycle retailers in Europe – is to open a new 7,874 sq ft store shop in Barnsley town...

7 Mar 2024, more…

Cytech training to help Go Outdoors boost number of cycle mechanics by offering apprenticeships to store staff.

Go Outdoors, which operates 75 stores across the UK, has announced an apprenticeship scheme involving Cytech training with the aim of addressing what it terms a nationwide shortage of...

15 Jan 2024, more…

Funded training available for Cycle Maintenance Apprenticeships

Fully funded training for school and college leavers is available for the Cycle Maintenance Apprenticeship for those under 19 years of age at the start of the apprenticeship.

9 Aug 2023, more…

A third of drivers want cyclists banned from public highways, new research suggests

New research has suggested as many as one in three drivers believe cyclists shouldn’t be allowed on public highways and should be confined to cycle paths.

3 Nov 2022, more…

ACT member looking to offer unit to independent bike mechanic in London

The Family Bike Club, a non-profit family cycling social enterprise project, is seeking to collaborate with a proficient cycle mechanic to offer repair services to the passing public from their...

10 Aug 2022, more…

England peak time for hiring government-funded apprentices in bicycle mechanics

This time of year offers a great opportunity to find and recruit new apprentices, as there’s a large influx of school and college leavers looking for their next step.

29 Jun 2022, more…

Activate Cycle Academy to open a new north-east Cytech training facility

 Based within ZyroFisher's Head Office, one of the country's leading distributor of cycle parts, accessories and clothing, this brand new workshop is the latest addition to the expanding...

27 Jan 2022, more…

Applications for additional Apprenticeship incentives open

Applicationsfor the Government's latest additional incentive payment of £3,000 opentoday (11 January 2022) for employers who have hired an apprentice(s) over the winter.

11 Jan 2022, more…

Activate Cycle Academy's Opens New Cytech Training Facility

Based at Activate Learning's Bracknell & Wokingham College campus this brand new workshop is the latest addition to their expanding number of Cytech training workshops across the country.

7 May 2021, more…

Activate Cycle Academy's New Cytech Training Facility Opens

The new cycle mechanics training facility at Merrist Wood College in Guildford, managed by Cytech training provider Activate Cycle Academy (ACA), has oficially opened and courses are being...

7 Sep 2020, more…

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How will the apprenticeship levy affect SMEs?

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How will the apprenticeship levy affect SMEs?

Posted on 25 Jul 2016

The Government's apprenticeship levy is scheduled to be introduced in April next year, affecting all businesses with a wage bill of more than £3m a year - but what will the impact be on small businesses?

The levy is in effect a tax set at 0.5% of a company's annual pay bill. Employers can then access the funds created through the levy using an online account and so invest in apprenticeship training. However, the levy cannot be used to pay apprentices' wages - it must be spent by the employer on relevant training.

Essentially, the levy is the Government's way of ensuring that big business plays its part in upskilling the population by formally training its workforce. However, it only applies to larger businesses, with a wage bill of more than £3million per year, which only accounts for less than 2% of UK employers. The average salary in the UK is £26,500, therefore those businesses with the same average salary will start to be affected by the levy when they have over 113 employees. This has led to questions over whether smaller companies which aren't contributing to the levy pot will continue to receive the funding they currently get from government.

Skills Minister Nick Boles has reassured SMEs that employers who aren't paying the levy will still have access to government support for their apprentices.

According to the government, any unspent levy money that a company has contributed but doesn't spend on training their own apprentices will be distributed more widely. It is anticipated this unspent money will filter down to smaller organizations to fund training for their apprentices.

Boles commented "We do not anticipate that all companies who pay levy will use up all of their money in their digital accounts and there will be a great deal more money to go around so we are absolutely determined that the level of apprenticeships provided by small and medium sized enterprises will continue as now."

However, it is widely acknowledged that at present there are many unanswered questions about how this will work in practice.

If you are interested in taking on an apprentice you can still access government funding. 

Fully funded apprenticeships from ATG Training

Employers who have not taken on an apprentice in the last year may be eligible to receive a £1,500 grant.

ATG logoFull funding is available on cycle maintenance apprenticeships for 16-24 year olds and employer contributions are reduced for over 25s - so there has never been a better time to take on an apprentice!

Apprenticeships benefit everyone. The apprentice gets valuable on the job training, employers get engaged, loyal staff and customers get professionally maintained bikes from qualified staff. Better yet, apprenticeships are largely delivered in your place of work, meaning little down time for your mechanics.

ATG Training offer an apprenticeship and an advanced apprenticeship.

Cycle Apprenticeship

Who is it for?

Anyone working as a mechanic who wants to gain training and qualifications to use during their working life.

What is included?

  • Certificate of Cycle Maintenance (often referred to as a Technical Certificate, this is the specific, hands on training in Cycle Maintenance)
  • Cytech Technical Two and wheel building training
  • Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Engineering Maintenance & Installation - Cycles pathway
  • Functional skills level 1 or 2.
  • Employment Responsibilities and Rights
  • Personal Learning & Thinking Skills

Advanced Cycle Apprenticeship

Who is it for?

Cycle mechanics that have completed the Apprenticeship and want to increase their skills, technical knowledge and obtain a high level qualification.

What is included?

  • Diploma of Cycle Maintenance
  • Cytech Technical Three training (3 courses)
  • Level 3 NVQ Extended Diploma in Mechanical Manufacturing Engineering - Cycles pathway
  • Functional skills at a minimum of level 2

To find out more about taking on a new apprentice or training an existing member of staff with ATG click here or contact ATG Training.

 

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