Evri pledges £200,000 levy to support SMEs
28th May 2024: Evri, the UK’s biggest dedicated parcel delivery company, has pledged £100,000 of its apprenticeship levy to West Yorkshire Combined Authority and £100,000 to Total People, to support SMEs. The pledge will enable smaller businesses to take on new apprentices and upskill current employees. Evri hopes this will provide an invaluable boost to support the growth of small UK businesses and the development of their people as they continue to battle rising costs.
Evri has been pledging its levy since 2021. To date it has supported 48 employers and helped create over 70 apprenticeships including, adult care workers, scaffolders, and early years practitioners - a profession that was reported to be suffering from a shortage earlier this year. Evri is working closely with West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Total People, to help identify suitable companies and ensure the funds are being spent efficiently, helping support those that will benefit most. Recent changes made by the government mean Evri can pledge a record amount this year and almost £230,000 has been used to date.
Total People is one of the largest providers of apprenticeships and work-based learning in the North-West of England.
We are delighted that Evri has once again pledged their levy funds to help SMEs to grow and develop their workforce through apprenticeship training. By combining our apprenticeships expertise with Evri’s generous funding, we can continue to support people into rewarding careers and help struggling sectors to combat the skills shortage. This money will make a real difference."
Melanie Nicholson, Managing Director of Total People
We’re creating a region of learning and creativity to empower everyone to boost their skills and succeed, no matter their background or circumstances. “Thanks to large businesses like Evri helping us fund new apprenticeships, our smaller employers have been able to take on hundreds of extra people, helping us build a stronger, brighter West Yorkshire where everyone can achieve and thrive."
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire