The Apprenticeship Levy Scheme makes it easy and economical to get all the benefits of structured apprenticeship training in your business: New management and leadership skills; better staff retention and loyalty; improved efficiency and customer service; increased knowledge and added value for your business...

1. Now is the perfect time to train
and develop your management team
Confused by the
Apprenticeship Levy?

2. Contents
An introduction to Bright Direction Training 3
Developing your most important asset 4
What is the Apprenticeship Levy
and what does it mean for businesses? 5
How the levy works 6
Important factors you need to know 6
Why Bright Direction Training? 7
Why choose our Level 3 Management
Apprenticeship? 9
Why choose our Level 5 Operations/
Departmental Manager Apprenticeship? 11
Conclusion 13
The benefits at a glance 14

3. An introduction to
Bright Direction Training
Bright Direction Training was founded in Bolton in 2010. We’re still a proud
Boltonian business and we’re still guided by a huge passion for the
professional learning and development of both individuals and teams.
We specialise in Leadership & Management development through the
completion of skilled apprenticeships. Although we’ve only just passed our
8th birthday, we can draw on over 50 years of training experience, during
which we’ve built up a wealth of knowledge in a whole range of industries.
In 2014, we were certified as an approved centre for the ‘Institute of
Leadership & Management’, making the Bright Direction Training team the
‘go-to’ people for all ILM training requirements.
3

4. Staff development and training are absolutely vital to the success of any
business, large or small. They help create an employee-focused culture, which
in turn gives employees greater involvement, leading to a growth in confidence,
increased productivity, added job satisfaction and greater staff retention.
With recent changes to Government regulations, businesses are being
encouraged to develop both new and existing staff even more, making this the
perfect time to assess your individual and business needs.
In particular, it’s an ideal opportunity to take advantage of the Apprenticeship
Levy to invest in the future of your employees. So to help you understand this
government funded training scheme, we’ve prepared a short guide on how it
works, how to take advantage of it and how Bright Direction Training can help
you get the most out of it.
“Honesty of purpose.
That’s our main focus.
We want to deliver that in everything
we do. Not just going through the
motions – but making a difference
to peoples lives.”
Developing your most important asset
employee
focused
Jamie MacGregor, MD
Bright Direction Training
www.brightdirectiontraining.co.uk 4

5. What is the Apprenticeship Levy and
what does it mean for businesses?
The Apprenticeship Levy was introduced in April 2017 by the UK Government to
encourage organisations to take responsibility for the training and development of
their own staff. Any business with an annual wage bill of £3m or more must pay 0.5%
of their payroll into a fund to pay for apprenticeship training, with the Government
topping up the fund by up to 10% each month. Businesses’ contributions are
collected via the monthly PAYE process and held in a digital account.
Businesses whose wage bill falls under the £3m threshold can still benefit from the
Apprenticeship Levy by paying just 5% towards the cost of any training with the
remaining 95% being paid by the Government.
So even if you don’t pay the levy tax, you can still benefit from 95% funding
towards training!
Example
£5000 Course Fees
£4750 Government Contribution
£250 Paid by you
The Apprenticeship Levy provides a great
opportunity for all businesses to increase their staff’s
knowledge and capability. So why not speak to
Bright Direction Training to see how we can help?
take full
advantage
“Apprenticeships aren’t just
for the younger generations…
today they can help you build the
perfect management team!”
info@brightdirectiontraining.co.uk 5

6. How the levy works
make more
of funding
www.brightdirectiontraining.co.uk
If your business already pays into the levy pot, you can use all this money to
fund your training, plus the 10% government top-up. You’ll need to set up an
Apprenticeship Levy account through which you can access these funds,
manage your apprentices, search for apprenticeship standards and pay your
training provider.
Funds paid into your account are only available on a rolling 24 month period. So
if you don’t use them within 24 months of paying them in, they will be reclaimed
by HMRC, including the 10% government top-up.
Please be aware the funds cannot be spent on the following: apprenticeship
salaries, expenses, travel costs, management costs or any other expenses.
Important factors you need to know if you already pay into the levy:
Your apprenticeship funds will expire 24 months after they
are paid into your account.
They can only be spent on the training and assessment of
apprentices working at least 50% of the time in England.
Funds can’t be used for other apprentice costs, like wages, travel
and subsistence and work placement programmes.
Only the English apprenticeship system is supported by the Levy.
If you employ workers both here and outside the country, then
the amount of finance available will depend on the number of
employees living in England, and the proportion of your wage bill
that’s paid to these workers.
6

7. Why Bright Direction Training?
At Bright Direction Training, we’re not just big believers in the value of training
and development. We’re also dedicated to helping you do it! We’ve already
helped countless businesses grow by developing their teams across many
different sectors. Take a look at what people are saying about us:
I am currently undertaking the Level 3 Diploma in Management, from starting
this course over a year ago my confidence has grown massively and my
style of leading has seen a huge improvement. I am constantly receiving
positive feedback from my peers and gaining recognition from managers
within my department. I started this course as a Supervisor and have since
been promoted to Assistant Manager due to the knowledge and skills I
have learnt during the course of my Diploma. I look forward to applying this
knowledge to my new role and seeing my career develop further.
(Thanks again Aiden for all of your support, I looked forward to each session
and found the course to be really insightful and enjoyable. Good luck with
everything in the future.)
Claire Willis,
Contractor Care & Compliance Supervisor, Morson
making the
right choice
info@brightdirectiontraining.co.uk 7

8. Your choice of training provider is perhaps the most
important decision you’ll make after deciding to invest
in training itself. So before you start, you need a full
understanding of what you’re looking for and what each
training provider can offer.
At the very least, your provider should be on hand to guide you through the
whole process to ensure your questions are answered and your needs met.
This is exactly what we do at Bright Direction Training, so we know it works. It
allows us to work with you in designing and building a course to suit your needs
that delivers the results you’re after and a positive outcome for your business
and your apprentices alike.
We’re as flexible as you need us to be, fitting in with your workplace routines
and your training timescales to give you maximum value for money and fully
qualified, fully trained staff in sufficient time.
With the Apprenticeship Levy and Bright Direction Training on your side, it’s the
perfect opportunity to create the future leaders of your business. To find out
how, pick up the phone and call 01204 859 859 or drop us a line, today.
applying new
knowledge
www.brightdirectiontraining.co.uk
Annette Lewis,
Training Manager, Alpha LSG
“We found Bright Direction’s flexibility and adaptability really helped
the learners to get the best out of their course. Our business is unlike
any other in terms of operational demand, compliance and quality, so
the tutor’s ability to tailor his delivery to the needs of the candidates
and to work around operational challenges was key to engaging
the candidates and ensuring their success. Our candidates are
experienced operational trainers but hadn’t previously completed an
accredited qualification, so the support they received in completing
assignments and applying theories to what they already do was
great. Achieving this qualification enhances what we can offer to our
customers and ensures that we are meeting the highest standards of
compliance for the training that we deliver to our people, delivering
on our values of Nurture to Grow and being Customer Centric.”
8

9. A Team Leader position is often the first step on the management career
ladder, and the Level 3 Management Apprenticeship has been developed to
match every aspect of the national Team Leader/Supervisor Apprenticeship.
It’s the perfect introduction to the fundamentals of good management,
teaching essential skills such as leadership, communication, relationship building
and problem solving.
As they develop these professional skills, those studying the Level 3
Management Apprenticeship will also develop personally, with exercises
exploring self-awareness and self-management helping them towards a more
fulfilling workplace and classroom experience.
Once completed, the Diploma is an ideal qualification for Team Leadership
positions in a wide variety of professions, as well as a range of Supervisor,
Project Officer, Shift Supervisor, Foreperson and Shift Manager roles.
1. Who is the Level 3 Management Apprenticeship for?
The Level 3 Management Apprenticeship is designed for anyone in full time
work taking their first steps into line management. They may already have some
experience of leadership or project management, but this is not essential.
More important is an ambition to progress and develop through a combination
of classroom learning, workplace experience and self-directed study.
Why choose our Level 3
Management Apprenticeship?
developing
your team
9

10. 2. Benefits for the Employer
By training first-line managers to national standards,
employers can be confident their learning and
development is relevant, with no gaps in their
knowledge or experience.
The Diploma brings management best practice
to everyday work situations, improves employee
confidence and helps promote a positive culture of
learning and development. It demonstrates to those
with little or no previous management experience that opportunities exist for
personal and professional advancement.
The Level 3 Management Apprenticeship also has the potential to increase staff
retention and loyalty, like all our workplace qualifications.
3. Benefits for the Employee
A chance to step up to the first-line of management and take charge of
their personal and professional development with a nationally recognised
qualification.
The Diploma offers an in-depth understanding of what is expected of Leaders
and Managers and, by giving them new skills and learning how to motivate
and inspire others more effectively, puts employees on the path to a lifetime of
professional development as an experienced manager.
benefits
all round
10

11. Achieving a departmental manager level position means having
the skills to make strategic decisions across a wider range
of managerial or operational areas. The Level 5 Operations/
Departmental Manager Apprenticeship will equip those looking
to move into such a role with all the theoretical and practical
knowledge they need.
Designed to complement and build on experience already
acquired in the workplace, it teaches essential senior
management skills such as leadership, project management and how to
motivate and inspire individuals and teams.
It also includes reflective learning and practice in the form of combined units
covering self-awareness and self-management in order to encourage effective
leadership.
Our Level 5 programme matches every aspect of the national Operations/
Departmental Manager Apprenticeship. Once completed, it is an ideal
qualification for Operations Managers, Regional Managers, Divisional Managers,
Department Managers and other specialist manager roles.
Why choose our Level 5 Operations/
Departmental Manager Apprenticeship?
motivate
and inspire
www.brightdirectiontraining.co.uk 11

12. 1. Who is Level 5 Operations/Departmental Manager
Apprenticeship for?
The Level 5 Operations/ Departmental Manager
Apprenticeship is designed for anyone in full time work looking
to move up the management ladder. They will already have
some experience of leadership or project management and
will be looking to build and develop their management silks.
More important is an ambition to progress and develop
through a combination of classroom learning, workplace
experience and self-directed study.
2. Benefits for the Employer
By training managers at departmental level to national standards, employers
can be confident their learning and development is relevant, with no gaps in
their knowledge or experience.
The Diploma brings management best practice to some of the most
demanding roles in any organisation, including those of Operational,
Departmental, Divisional and Regional Managers.
Training to nationally recognised standards demonstrates to those with some
existing management experience that their employee has confidence in their
ability to progress to the next level, as well as laying the
foundations for succession.
By training and developing your existing
managers, and investing in them,
businesses are rewarded with higher
levels of loyalty and staff retention.
ambition
to progress
12

13. 3. Benefits for the Employee
A chance to step up to a more senior management role and
take charge of their personal and professional development
with a nationally recognised qualification.
The Diploma offers an in-depth understanding of what is
expected of Leaders and Managers at this level and, by
teaching them how to motivate and inspire others more
effectively, allows employees to progress more easily to the
next stage of their management career.
achieving
your goals
info@brightdirectiontraining.co.uk 13

14. Conclusion
We know the Apprenticeship Levy can be a little confusing, but
we’re here to help you understand all its various ‘ins and outs’
and guide you through the whole process.
Once you’ve decided on the right candidates from your team,
get in touch with us and we’ll help you decide which course is
most suitable all parties get the most of this fantastic opportunity.
With Bright Direction Training, you’ll be in safe hands for the duration of the
process. So start taking advantage of the Apprenticeship Levy today.
win win for
everyone
Lets get started
call us on 01204 859 859
www.brightdirectiontraining.co.uk 14

15. The benefits at a glance
Realise your team’s potential and allow highly
qualified staff and team members to develop
management and leadership skills.
A leading Management Apprenticeship course
completed to National ILM standard.
Train your team in the most cost effective way,
either 100% funded levy payer or 95% funded
non-levy payer.
Empower your staff with knowledge and transferable
skills and behaviours.
Create better staff retention with stronger loyalty
from you investing in your team.
Bring new skills into the business from within
your current team.
Develop team members that have no previous
experience in management of people.
Encourage personal development of motivated
team members.
Cost effective and flexible.
Nurture and develop both new and existing
staff members.
Increased knowledge in your team that will add
value to your business.
Create motivated competition within the workplace.
Improve time management and efficiency.
Get in touch and let us discuss the next step
simply telephone 01204 859 859
or email info@brightdirectiontraining.co.uk