Virgin Media O2 - Apprenticeship Talent Fund
Objectives of Fund
Virgin Media O2 has launched the £1 million Apprenticeship Talent Fund to support small businesses, charities, social enterprises and local authorities in recruiting and training apprentices in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) roles. The fund will cover the full cost of apprenticeship training for eligible roles by enabling organisations to access Virgin Media O2's apprenticeship levy funds through levy transfers.
The programme aims to address barriers to apprenticeship recruitment identified in research, including cost pressures, complexity of training programmes and limited access to levy funds. It is designed to increase participation from underrepresented groups, with a focus on supporting women and people from global majority backgrounds into STEM careers.
The initiative forms part of Virgin Media O2's commitment to making apprenticeships more accessible and helping build future industry talent and growth.
Value Notes
Virgin Media O2 will transfer up to £1 million in unspent apprenticeship levy funds to smaller organisations to cover the full cost of approved apprenticeship training for eligible roles. This support is provided through levy transfers and is intended to help organisations access funding that would otherwise be unavailable to them.
Who Can Apply
The fund is open to UK based small businesses, charities, social enterprises and local authorities that do not pay into the apprenticeship levy. Eligible organisations can apply when recruiting a woman or a person from a global majority background for a STEM-based apprenticeship. The scheme is available for those wishing to hire new apprentices rather than existing staff.
Location
United Kingdom
Restrictions
The funding is not available to cover the salary of an apprentice.
Eligible Expenditure
Eligible organisations can use the funding to create new apprenticeship opportunities, including for young people and career changers, contributing to the development of a skilled and diverse STEM workforce.
The funds will cover the cost of training an apprentice.
How To Apply
There are no set deadlines to apply.
To access funding, the first step is to register an account or sign into the Government portal. Once registered and signed up, applicants can request funds from Virgin Media's pot.
More information is available at the Virgin Media O2 website.
Contact Virgin Media O2 for further information.
