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<p>The apprenticeship levy is an important part of our apprenticeship reforms, supporting
employers of all sizes to make a long-term, sustainable investment in training. We
recognise that employers at the moment face increased challenges with hiring new apprentices
so we have announced a new payment of £2,000 to employers in England for each new
apprentice they hire aged under 25, and a £1,500 payment for each new apprentice they
hire aged 25 and over, from 1 August 2020 to 31 January 2021. Details can be found
here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-treasury" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-treasury</a>.
We will also ensure that there is sufficient funding to support small businesses wanting
to take on an apprentice this year.</p><p>In light of the challenges presented by
COVID-19, we have introduced a range of flexibilities so that apprentices and employers
can continue with their apprenticeships. These include encouraging remote learning,
as well as allowing furloughed apprentices to continue their apprenticeships and undertake
end point assessments.</p><p>Employers are at the heart of our reforms to apprenticeships,
designing high-quality standards that deliver the skills that they need, and allowing
them to spend the levy on the apprenticeships training that matters for them. Employers
in the construction sector have developed 86 standards which are approved for delivery.
These include Groundworker at level 2 and Building Services Design Technician at level
3. A further 12 are in development.</p><p>We are working with the construction sector
to encourage the take up of apprenticeships to ensure businesses can restart and recover
as quickly as possible.</p><p>We remain committed to looking at how to improve the
working of the apprenticeship levy, to support large and small employers in meeting
the long-term skills needs of the economy.</p>
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