Aims/priorities: 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.
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.
Grant amount: 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.
Application process: 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.
Deadline: There are no set deadlines to apply.
Contact Information: Telephone: 0345 454 1111
Website: https://news.virginmediao2.co.uk/apprenticeship-talent-fund/