Sodexo has announced it has gifted £2m of its apprenticeship levy to support a number of small companies and not-for-profit organisations across the UK at the launch of National Apprenticeship Week 2023.
The company took the decision in 2019 to ‘gift with purpose’ a portion of the apprenticeship levy it pays. In August 2021, the food services and facilities management business announced it had gifted more than £1m to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for apprenticeship training. This has included trainee paramedics for the London Ambulance Service as well as health and support staff for local community organisations and sports clubs in Salford, Worcester and Bath.
Over the last 18 months, the company has doubled that figure and committed apprentice levy gifting funds to several other organisations, including almost 60 sports coaching staff for Aspire Training Solutions (UK), enabling it to continue to provide a valuable resource to schools, local community organisations and sports clubs. Another beneficiary is McGinley, enabling the infrastructure expert to take on 18 trainee rail operatives.
The milestone includes Sodexo pledging £100,000 to eligible businesses through the Government’s apprentice levy portal.
Head of apprenticeships Sue Davison said: “Apprenticeships are a fantastic way for people to learn new skills, launch their careers, or reskill if they are seeking a fresh challenge. We encourage other organisations to follow suit and use their apprenticeship levy gifting to help maintain a sustainable talent pipeline that will allow businesses and communities to grow and thrive.”
This week, National Apprenticeship Week, Sodexo and its teams across the country are celebrating and recognising their 900 apprentices, reflecting on how apprenticeships are helping individuals develop valuable skills and knowledge to create a successful and rewarding career and the contribution they offer companies such as Sodexo which relies on its people to deliver excellence, every day.
UK and Ireland chief executive officer Sean Haley added: “We are in business to make a positive impact on the economic and social development of the communities where we live, work and serve. As such, we know there is a significant role we can play in helping more organisations develop the people and the skills they will need in the future. This is why apprenticeship levy gifting is such a crucial component of our social impact pledge.”
Large businesses that pay the apprenticeship levy can choose to transfer up to 25% of their levy funds each year to other organisations to pay for their apprenticeship training and assessment.
