Wakefield-based YPO, one of the UK’s largest public sector buying organisations, is celebrating National Apprenticeship Week 2024 with a major milestone.
Since launching the Apprenticeship Framework in 2018, YPO has delivered over 1,664 apprenticeship contracts across the public sector.
Currently supported by 215 providers across the UK, the YPO framework offers 688 apprenticeship standards to public sector organisations.
The available standards are compliant with the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE). Standards range in roles across blue light services, teaching, social care, healthcare, sustainability, IT and corporate responsibility.
The focus for National Apprenticeship Week 2024 is “Skills for Life” and YPO is using this spotlight to highlight the range of apprenticeships available that can play a crucial role in evolving the public sector, creating a future-ready workforce with specialised professional skills and experience.
Lucy Simpson, category manager at YPO, said: “Since launching the apprenticeship framework in 2018, there have been many changes to how apprenticeship levy funding is used. Throughout this period, we’ve helped employers in the public sector understand how they use this resource to its full potential. The result has been the creation of invaluable opportunities for those entering the industry, as well as support for valuable upskilling across a range of existing jobs. We look forward to continuing to provide this support over the coming months and years.”
The apprenticeship levy is paid by employers, in both public and private sectors, with a payroll of more than £3 million. It is designed to help companies offer more apprenticeships and training opportunities.
YPO is a publicly owned procurement company, and alongside offering apprenticeship frameworks and advice, provides an extensive range of products and services to all public sector organisations, ranging from schools to emergency services.