There has been much reported in the press about a fall in the number of apprentices and the availability of apprenticeships following the introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy. Despite the fact that the levy doesn’t affect small businesses, we are finding that they are still reluctant to engage with apprenticeships more. Why is this?

Philippa Batting, Managing Director of Buckinghamshire Business First, said: “This event aims to bust some of the myths around apprenticeships and provide information that might make employing apprentices far more accessible and achievable.

“Throughout the event we will be sharing information and ideas on recruiting from the education system, the funding available for small businesses to support this, and how to set up an apprenticeship culture within small businesses. We will also have the opportunity to hear the experiences of businesses in attendance."

Topics under discussion at the roundtable event will include: recruiting from the education system, Apprenticeship Levy funding support for small businesses, setting up an apprenticeship culture within a small business, and barriers to attracting and recruiting young people.

Buckinghamshire Business First, the Federation of Small Businesses and Buckinghamshire College Group are working in partnership to invite all Buckinghamshire-based small and medium sized businesses to this free-to-attend event being held at University Campus Aylesbury Vale.

University Campus Aylesbury Vale is a partnership between Buckinghamshire New University and Buckinghamshire College Group and is the base for Buckinghamshire New University and Buckinghamshire College Group’s Apprenticeship Hub. The Hub is working with the public and private sector to provide a range of Higher and Degree apprenticeships.

When it is & how to book

This roundtable event takes place on Friday 14th September between 9.15am – 12noon at the University Campus Aylesbury Vale, 59 Walton Street, Aylesbury, HP21 7QG.

For further details and booking instructions please go to the Buckinghamshire Business First website at www.bbf.uk.com/event/attracting-new-talent-into-your-business-roundtable-discussion or email events@bbf.uk.com.