Businesses can grow their workforce and boost productivity in just a few clicks by getting an apprenticeship funded by Surrey County Council.

As part of the Apprenticeship Levy Transfer Scheme, small and medium enterprises across the county can get fully funded support to train local talent.

Apprenticeships are widely recognised as a cost-effective way to recruit, improving diversity and filling skills gaps. In time, they can also help businesses grow, improve employee retention and support the wider economy.

Funding is available to pay for the training of dozens of new apprenticeships across the county.

It is open to all businesses in Surrey and allocated on a first come, first served basis – meaning those interested should apply swiftly via the Surrey County Council website.

For those unsure of the process, a free 45-minute webinar will be hosted by the Council’s Business Surrey service on February 26. Reserve your space today to discover more about modern-day apprenticeships and how businesses can access funding.

One Surrey organisation that has benefited already from the scheme is Sight for Surrey, a charity that provides specialist support for people in Surrey with sensory loss.  

Diane Smith, Head of Adult Services says:

“We have used the levy to support internal succession for those wanting to pursue a career in Social Work from the Deaf Community. More recently we used the levy to support three new apprentices in roles that are recognised to be under resourced across the sector nationally as well as in Surrey.

“The process of completing the Levy Transfer scheme was simple and smooth due to the responsive support from the Council.

“Our Deaf Services Social Worker has recently graduated from Kingston University and our three new apprentices are settled and progressing well in their new careers! All making an impact for residents of the Surrey community.”

The call comes in National Apprenticeship Week (February 10 to 16), which is a national celebration of the opportunities presented by the training schemes.

According to government figures, benefits of apprenticeships include:

• 96% of employers report benefits to their business
• employers make a net gain of between £2,500 and £18,000 per apprentice during their training period
• 80% of businesses see a significant increase in employee retention

Almost two-thirds of all UK apprenticeships in the last year have been funded by the apprenticeship levy.

This is a pool of funding made available by large employers, such as the Council, to make apprenticeships more accessible to SMEs.

The Council wants as many local residents and businesses to benefit from the scheme as possible – which is why the online process can be completed in a matter of minutes.

Matt Furniss, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport, and Economic Growth, emphasised the council’s commitment to providing opportunities for all. He said:“Apprenticeships are a proven cost-effective way to recruit which benefit businesses and employees, as well as the broader economy.

“As an organisation we are committed to providing opportunities to all of our residents, which includes creating a skilled workforce for the future.

“The levy transfer scheme is a fantastic way for SMEs to access funding to develop and grow their workforce – which is why I encourage them to discover more about this fantastic opportunity.”

For more information on how to apply for the Apprenticeship Levy and to start the process of recruiting talented apprentices, visit https://www.businesssurrey.co.uk/workforce/apprenticeship_levy/

Support for Surrey businesses

Our team of experts can provide tailored advice to help your business grow and succeed. Get in touch to find out more via our business support form.

You can also register to receive our newsletter, packed with the latest information on events, funding and more, for all Surrey businesses.

Free support for Surrey small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to decarbonise their business is now available from Surrey County Council.

Companies with fewer than 250 employees can sign up for the support. It’s only available to those based in the boroughs of Woking, Guildford, Waverley, Reigate and Banstead, Spelthorne and Surrey Heath.

Find out how to cut your energy costs, calculate your carbon footprint and get your business to Net Zero. You could even access a loan to go green!

Scroll down to see the free support which your Surrey business could access.

Or you can get in touch with our business experts, who can provide free bespoke advice for your business.

Free business decarbonisation course

A free business decarbonisation course is now up and running for eligible Surrey businesses.

The course will:

• introduce a bit of business context relating to climate change and carbon literacy,
• help you understand where your business’ emissions lay,
• enable you to calculate your business carbon footprint;
• help you become more sustainable, reduce your energy costs and cut your carbon footprint
• help you define your business path to Net Zero, set targets and leverage your efforts to make your business more competitive and your products and services more desirable
• empower you to adapt and build resilience to address climate change

Courses are available in person and online.

The in-person courses are:

• Thursday 17 October 2024 at Guildford Borough Council
• Wednesday 13 November 2024 at Surrey Heath Borough Council
• Wednesday 27 November at Waverley Borough Council
• Wednesday 22 January 2025 in Reigate and Banstead at Surrey County Council headquarters
• Thursday 13 February 2025 in Woking
• Thursday 6 March 2025 at Spelthorne Business Hub

On demand online courses will be made available from late October.

To book your space visit the Surrey County Council website.

Free carbon calculator tool

Ever wondered how much carbon your Surrey business uses?

As part of the decarbonisation course, you can find out! You’ll be given a one year licence to access and use the Climate Essential carbon calculator tool.

This will enable you to calculate your base line carbon footprint. Plus, you can see where you can make adjustments and gains to further reduce it.

Free business decarbonisation assessment

The free business decarbonisation assessment helps small and medium businesses in six Surrey boroughs to decarbonise and save on energy.

The online meeting is a virtual walk around premises, looking at energy use, transport, and supply chain.

A personalised report identifies opportunities for energy saving and projects which may be eligible for a business decarbonisation loan.

You can then decide if you wish to apply for a business decarbonisation loan to complete any or all of your decarbonisation projects.

There is no obligation to progress any of the potential projects to a loan application.

Business decarbonisation loan

The business decarbonisation loan programme has been created to help business and organisations decarbonise.

It will also allow you to invest to cut your energy bills, improve your premises and be more efficient.

Loans range from £5,000 to £15,000. It can can cover up to 50% of the total project cost. You will need to fund the rest.

Projects could include lighting and heating upgrades, installing solar panels, replacing old energy hungry equipment and switching to electric vehicles.

The loan is only available to businesses who have had a free business decarbonisation assessment.

Startup funding schemes, the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) and the Venture Capital Trust (VCT) scheme have been extended by ten years to 5 April 2035.

Government extends two leading investment schemes aimed at startups

Thousands of entrepreneurs and startups are set to benefit from the extension of two leading government investment schemes targeted at helping startup businesses get off the ground and grow.

The Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) and the Venture Capital Trust (VCT) scheme were both set to end on 6 April 2025 but will instead run until 5 April 2035.

The schemes are designed to encourage investment into new or young companies through tax-relief incentives, encouraging innovation, creating jobs and stimulating economic growth.

The two startup investment schemes at-a-glance

Both schemes offer incentives to investors of up to 30% upfront income tax relief and an exemption from capital gains tax on any profits made after the sale of shares.

Launched in 1994, the EIS scheme offers investors loss relief as long as shares are held for at least two years.

VCTs, which were then introduced in 1995, are companies listed on the UK stock exchange. They invest in early-stage trading companies on behalf of investors. Dividends received from VCTs are tax-free.

Since the launch of the EIS in 1994 the two schemes have delivered significant impact and success with over £41 billion raised to date.  

What’s in it for startups?

This ten-year extension will benefit startups and help provide access to startup funding by providing investors with the confidence to continue to invest into high-risk, early-stage businesses. Early stage investment of this type is a vital element in supporting long-term growth and the development of the economy on both a regional and national scale.

Read more: Boost for UK growth as start-up investment schemes extended – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

More help for startups

Business Surrey is a Surrey County Council service providing free and accessible support for all businesses in Surrey, including startups.

Our team of experts can provide independent and impartial advice on accessing startup funding and grants, as well as other sources of support for startups. Contact the team for free via our Business Support Form.

Sign up to our newsletter for regular updates on news, events and support for all Surrey businesses.

Find out more about what we do and how to access one of our many startup-friendly services by completing our Contact Us form.

Smaller businesses in Surrey can now get access to finance to invest in and grow their company via the British Business Bank’s Growth Guarantee Scheme (GSS).

The new scheme is the successor to the Recovery Loan Scheme and has been designed to support UK smaller businesses to access the finance they need to invest and grow.

So far, there are 41 accredited lenders providing access to finance under the Scheme, with more expected to be accredited by the British Business Bank over the coming weeks.

The GGS will provide access to a range of different types of finance to suit the needs of smaller businesses, including term loans, overdrafts, asset finance, invoice finance and asset-based lending.

The Key Features of the Scheme

The key features of the GGS are broadly similar to those of its predecessor, The Recovery Loan Scheme, and include:

• Finance available from £1,000 up to £2m per business group, depending on the type of finance product

• Wide range of products including: term loans, overdrafts, asset finance, invoice finance and asset-based lending facilities

• Term length: Term loans and asset finance facilities are available from three months up to six years, with overdrafts, invoice finance and asset-based lending available from three months up to three years

• Access to multiple schemes: Businesses that took out a Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS), Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILS), Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS) or a Recovery Loan Scheme (RLS) facility before 30 June 2024 may still access the Growth Guarantee Scheme

• Pricing: Fees and interest rates charged by lenders will vary but will take into account the benefit to the lender of the Government guarantee

• Personal Guarantees: Can be taken at the lender’s discretion, in line with their normal commercial lending practices. (Principal Private Residences cannot be taken as security within the scheme)

• Guarantee is to the lender: The scheme provides the lender with a 70% government-backed guarantee. Please note: the borrower always remains 100% liable for the debt

• Decision-making is at the lender’s discretion: finance is provided at the discretion of the lender subject to their usual credit application checks.

How do I apply for the Growth Guarantee Scheme?

More information on the Growth Guarantee Scheme, including the list of accredited lenders, is available on the British Business Bank website.

What other support is available for smaller businesses in Surrey?

We offer a range of advice and support for Surrey businesses. Get in touch today to find out more via our business support form.

You can also search for information and support available near you via our Support Directory.