The West and North Yorkshire Chamber plays an important role in promoting talent and skills and undertakes work around education, learning and inspiring young people. Key actions include:
We partnered with organisations including the Poverty Truth Commission to set up Start in Leeds, a careers guidance website which includes information for post-16 students to help them make better choices
We support the annual Leeds Apprenticeship Recruitment Fair, including running sessions with young people and parents
We also support the Leeds Manufacturing Festival, which showcases the range of careers on offer across Leeds’ diverse manufacturing sector
We encourage and support businesses to fund new apprenticeships through the Apprenticeship Levy. We worked with Leeds City Council to develop the apprentice levy transfer facility to improve access for SMEs to any support and funds that are available for apprenticeship training costs through Levy Transfers, and facilitated West Yorkshire's first levy transfer. We continue to make businesses aware of the ability to be able to transfer unspent levy.
We have brought together a group of manufacturers along with the University of Leeds, Leeds City College and the council, and developed UTC (University Technical College) Leeds. It is a state-of-the-art specialist school for 14-19 year olds dedicated to equipping young people with STEM related skills and qualifications. It continues to deliver young people with the academic and vocational skills needed for a career in industry, higher education or to progress into some of the most sought-after apprenticeships in the region.