I’m excited to be writing to you as the new Managing Director of the Textile Centre of Excellence. After Bill Macbeth OBE’s incredible 25 years of leadership, I’m stepping into the role with big plans for growth and innovation in the sector. I bring experience from my time with BPP Professional Education, Kaplan Open Learning, and most recently at the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education, where I made funding bands recommendations to the Minister on the £2.7 billion annual apprenticeship budget. There’s a lot in the pipeline, and I’m looking forward to sharing these opportunities with you!
The Textile Centre of Excellence is a not-for-profit, industry-owned training organisation established to provide high-quality training and development solutions to employers from all sectors at affordable rates. Any revenue generated is reinvested directly into the textiles sector, ensuring its continued growth and innovation.
In this month’s update, I want to highlight new and recent government announcements, profile some of our most popular programmes and extend an offer for any individuals or companies wanting to potentially collaborate or come for a site visit to our new centre in Huddersfield.
Big News: Changes to Apprenticeships
1. English & Maths Requirements No Longer Necessary
For adult apprentices (aged 19+), the requirement to have English and Maths qualifications has been removed. This is great news for companies who’ve been hesitant to take on apprentices due to these rigid requirements.
2. Shorter Apprenticeships & Streamlined Assessments
Some apprenticeships can now be completed in as little as 8 months, with more flexibility around assessments. This means less downtime for businesses while apprentices gain valuable skills faster.
Save on National Insurance Contributions
I’m sure you’ve heard that from April 2025, employer National Insurance, (NI), contributions will rise to 15% for salaries above £5,000. But here’s some good news: if you employ apprentices under 25, you don’t have to pay any employer NI on their salaries!
For example:
• Hiring an apprentice on a £20,000 salary could save you £2,250 a year in NI contributions.
• A £25,000 apprentice salary could save you £3,000 annually.
When you factor in the 100% funding available for many apprenticeship training costs – especially for SMEs – that’s a pretty compelling case to explore apprenticeships as part of your recruitment strategy.
Just a reminder: Levy-paying employers get 100% funding for apprenticeship training costs. SMEs who don’t pay the levy can receive 100% funding for apprentices aged up to 21, and 95% funding for those aged 22 and over. Combined with savings on National Insurance, it’s a great time to explore apprenticeship options and makes economic sense.
Contact us now to learn more about our programmes, including Lab Technician, Textile Manufacturing Operative, Sewing Machinist, Team Leader, and Business Administrator.
Training Grants
We also offer a range of industry leading courses including First Aid, Fire Safety, IOSH, NEBOSH, ILM Leadership and Management, Forklift Truck – and many other courses that we can deliver on your premises or at our new centre in Huddersfield just off junction 24 of the M62.
Our courses are competitively priced and in addition we also have access to grants and funding streams which, depending on your sector, can reduce the cost of these courses by up-to a further 50%. To find out more, contact Martin Jenkins, Director of Training at martinjenkins@textile-training.com
Industry4.0 Champions Programme – A Free Workshop!
The Centre has worked with partners to create a state-of-the-art ‘Digital Hub’ to offer companies ‘hands-on’ experience with the latest industrial digital technologies. For companies in textiles or manufacturing, we have limited spaces on our fully funded i4.0 Champions Programme on Wednesday 19th March –with a single day workshop where your staff can learn how digital technologies can optimise production processes and open up new business opportunities, including the new ‘Industry 4.0 Champions Programme’.
To hear more about and book onto this free programme, get in touch now with Paul Britton, our Sales Executive at PaulBritton@textile-training.com
L3 Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship
I’m excited to announce that we’re recruiting for the next cohort of our Level 3 Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship. This programme is vital for staff in sectors like Textiles, Manufacturing, Health, Science, and more.
Our existing apprentices continue to give us excellent feedback on our L3 Lab Tech apprenticeship and we are now recruiting for our next cohort. The apprenticeship is essential for staff across all industries including Textiles, Manufacturing, Health and Science, Chemical, and the Educational sector.
The programme prepares your apprentice to support lab operations with essential, hands-on expertise including Safety & Quality Standards, Technical Mastery, Risk & Compliance and Professional Development. Best of all, we can deliver training in 1-2-1 environments with start dates that suit each employer, or in cohorts – get in touch now to hear more.
I look forward to working with you in 2025. If you would like further information about any of the areas mentioned above, or would like to meet for a site visitor a cup of coffee, please get in touch with me directly at ShahbanAziz@textile-training.com
Thank you for your ongoing support
Shahban Aziz
Managing Director, Textile Centre of Excellence
