TRAINING FOR GROWTH Level 2

The original Training for Growth Pilot, completed in March 2025, demonstrated that financial support helps small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) overcome barriers to hiring apprentices. That pilot resulted in 17 Level 3 apprenticeships across 10 local businesses.

Building on that success, Training for Growth Level 2 shifts focus to entry-level skills (Level 2), opening up new opportunities for local residents while supporting SME growth in the automotive and advanced manufacturing sectors.

• The Training for Growth L2 programme will help businesses new to apprenticeships – or those that haven’t taken one in the last 3 years – to navigate the apprenticeship system.
• It brings strong collaboration between employers, training providers, and industry bodies to address local skills shortages.
• The programme will provide financial support for Sunderland-based SMEs to help cover the first-year costs of hiring Level 2 apprentices.

• SMEs based in Sunderland.
• Businesses that are new to apprenticeships, or haven’t employed an apprentice in the last 3 years.
• Employers who will hire a Level 2 apprentice as part of the September 2025 intake.

Training for Growth Level 2 is funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and managed by Sunderland City Council on behalf of the Sunderland Partnership. It will run until March 2026.