The BCF recently launched a purpose-built apprenticeship service to meet the specific development and employment needs of paints, inks and wallcoverings companies. Intended as a single point solution for the recruitment, employment and upskilling of apprentices across the industry, the service has been built with the help of the Apprenticeship Management Group who act as an Apprenticeship Training Agency on behalf of BCF members.
 
The goal of the BCF’s Apprenticeship Service is to help members get the most out of the new apprenticeship landscape. The service will help Levy payers spend their Levy funds and for non-Levy payers, it will provide up to 90 percent of funds. In addition, members will have access to Coatings Training Institute modules funded as part of an apprenticeship program. Companies can take advantage of coatings specific qualifications developed in collaboration with Cogent Skills.
 
The broad scope of apprenticeship qualifications offered covers all disciplines and levels of employment from new starter to board level employees. This means that employers can use the service to upskill and recruit employees in non-technical roles including marketing, finance and cyber security to name a few. 
 
“[Presently] 85 percent of Levy funds in the Science sector are unspent so it’s clear that employers need more support to help ensure that this money isn’t lost,” BCF CEO Tom Bowtell said. “There are also significant opportunities for smaller companies out of the scope of the Levy to benefit, and for companies looking to recruit new talent or help strengthen existing skills of those in marketing, finance, and general business departments.”