TRAINING FOR GROWTH

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 isn’t just a grant, it’s a funded, high-support business improvement service designed to solve your specific operational challenges.

An apprentice is a cost-effective way to build a loyal, skilled workforce. For an SME, the benefits are immediate:

• Boost Productivity: Apprentices are motivated to learn and add value quickly.
• Increase Loyalty: Investing in someone from day one builds loyalty, saving you long-term recruitment costs.
• Develop skills you need: You train talent in the exact way your business operates, filling your specific skills gaps.

The Training for Growth programme is designed to support businesses at every stage of their apprenticeship journey – whether you’re navigating the system for the first time or looking to enhance your existing approach.

It provides financial support to help cover the first-year costs of a new apprentice (e.g. electrical, maintenance, AI, digital, data sciences, business). Plus, it will provide direct, hands-on consultancy from the NEAA to ensure your apprentice delivers a tangible, measurable impact on your business.

The NEAA will personally…

• Help you select the best pathway: The Level 2 and 3 apprenticeship system can be confusing. We provide expert, impartial consultancy to help you select the right pathway that directly solves your biggest business challenges.
• Define and design a high-impact project: The NEAA Skills Strategy Lead will collaborate with you and your chosen training provider to define and design a concrete workplace project. This ensures the project delivers a clear and immediate benefit.
• Help organise your internal support: A successful apprenticeship requires a good support system. We will help you organise the internal coaching and mentoring structure your apprentice needs to thrive and succeed throughout their journey.

• SMEs based in Sunderland.
• Businesses in the Advanced Manufacturing and automotive sectors.
• Employers who will hire a Level 2 or Level 3 apprentice (e.g. electrical, maintenance, AI, digital, data sciences, business).

Funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and managed by Sunderland City Council on behalf of the Sunderland Partnership.