Mace donates £200,000 of unspent Apprenticeship Levy

Mace, the international consultancy and construction company, is donating £200,000 of unallocated Apprenticeship Levy to support 18 apprentices across the UK.

In 2020, Mace has worked closely with the ‘Reskilling the Recovery’ initiative delivered by the London Progression Collaboration (supported by the Greater London Authority), the West Midlands Combined Authority and the ‘Levy Matchmaking Service’ operated by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, to   be matched to smaller employers in these locations, looking to support their own apprentices with donated Apprenticeship Levy.

Mace’s donation will support 18 apprentices in kickstarting their careers across 15 different employers and includes installation electricians, construction site supervisors, surveying technicians and site carpenters.

With the construction industry facing an acute skills shortage, Mace is helping to create much needed jobs and training in Coventry, Wolverhampton, Shirley, as well as London boroughs such as Lewisham and Haringey.  Apprentices are an important part of Mace and having the opportunity to support others to provide training to their young people is a positive step forward.

Mace currently has over 100 direct apprentices and trainees who joined as school leavers, offering opportunities to work and learn on some of the largest and most complex projects in the UK. With an award winning apprenticeship programme, and recognised as a ‘Top Employer’ in the recent Central and Greater London Rate My Apprenticeship Awards, the company is committed to continuing to provide outstanding learning and development for people starting out in their construction career.  

Since May 2019, Government rules allow any employer with unallocated Apprenticeship Levy in their own accounts to ‘transfer’ this to another employer, who will use it to fund the costs of the training provider supporting their apprentices.

Mark Reynolds, Group CEO at Mace, said:

“I am pleased that Mace’s Apprenticeship Levy donation will make a positive difference to apprentices starting their careers across the country. While we employ and train over 100 of our own school leaver apprentices, it is important that smaller employers are also supporting young people in their local communities and creating opportunities in different locations. Training and inspiring the younger generation into construction careers is vital to avoid severe skills shortages in our industry.”

Florence Hayden, Group HR Director at Mace, said:

“Apprentices and trainees bring valuable perspective, capabilities and energy to construction companies of all sizes. We are proud to collaborate and support smaller employers in funding their apprenticeships as it ensures we all help to contribute in our communities. Mace has specifically requested that our Apprenticeship Levy donation is used to support young people who may not traditionally have considered a career in construction and young people from underrepresented groups. We believe our direct support and collaboration provides young people with construction expertise and skills and helps them to have fulfilling and meaningful careers.”