Businesses have yet to get to grips with the Apprenticeship Levy – a gathering of HR and operational professionals in the utilities and construction sector at an Industry Skills Forum co-organised by Develop Training (DTL) and Mentor Training Solutions – concluded.
It was agreed that ‘in some quarters the levy is widely viewed as a tax, while in others, managers are simply holding fire on making decisions about setting up apprenticeships’.
Chris Wood, chief executive of DTL, said: “Firms have two years from their initial levy payments to draw down funds, so many are taking their time before making a decision. However, the system’s structure means delay may mean they will be unable to recoup everything they pay in.”
