Maximising Your Apprenticeship Levy: A Case Study with what3words

Like many organisations, you’ve likely watched with frustration as a portion of your Apprenticeship Levy contributions were reclaimed by HMRC – funds you’ve paid into but weren’t sure how to access. This was the exact situation for the innovative team at what3words. They knew the levy could be a powerful tool for developing their people, but they needed a clear path to unlock its potential. This case study shows how they leveraged a significant £50,000 in levy funds to create a bespoke, impactful leadership development programme.

Unlocking the Levy: From Confusion to Clarity

The first step was to demystify the process. After some initial conversations with our team, what3words gained a clear understanding of how they could use their levy funds to offset the cost of their management training. The goal was to launch a Team Leader ILM Level 3 apprenticeship tailored specifically to the unique culture, processes, and training requirements of what3words.

This wasn't a one-size-fits-all solution. We dedicated time and resources to a thorough learning needs analysis. By gaining a deep understanding of their challenges, culture, and existing tools, we could ensure the programme was highly relevant and avoided duplication. This bespoke approach is a key differentiator, ensuring that the training directly addresses the specific needs of the organisation and its people.

A Tailored Programme for Tangible Results

The resulting programme was a comprehensive 12-month management development initiative delivered with flexibility and support. The core of the programme included:

• Monthly Workshops: A monthly on-site classroom workshop was delivered at their London offices, providing a consistent and focused learning environment.
• Ongoing Coaching: Each participant received one-on-one coaching support from a Kendal College tutor. This personalised guidance was crucial for helping them apply their learning and complete their assignments and learning logs.
• End-Point Assessment: The programme concluded with a three-month End-Point Assessment, which included a professional discussion of their learning log and an individual presentation of their progress and insights.

High-Impact Content for Modern Leaders

The content of the programme was carefully curated to address the practical needs of modern leaders. It went beyond theoretical concepts to provide immediately applicable skills. Key components included:

• TTI Success Insights DISC Assessment: Included at no extra charge, this assessment helped managers increase their self-awareness and identify their strengths and development areas.
• Essential Management Skills: The programme covered a range of crucial topics, including building high-performing teams, coaching fundamentals, performance management, feedback delivery, and talent succession planning.
• Practical Application: Participants engaged in Action Learning Groups after every few workshops. This allowed them to apply their new knowledge to real, current challenges and benefit from peer-to-peer coaching.
• Strategic Focus: The training also focused on topics like decision-making, problem-solving, and attracting and retaining talent, directly supporting the strategic goals of what3words.

By leveraging their apprenticeship levy, what3words didn't just access funding; they invested £50,000 in their people with a programme designed for their specific needs, proving that the levy can be a powerful driver for talent development and organisational growth.

How could your organisation utilise its Apprenticeship Levy to create a similar impact?

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