Virgin Media O2 Launches £1 Million Fund to Boost STEM Apprenticeships
Virgin Media O2 has announced a new £1 million Apprenticeship Talent Fund to support small businesses, charities, social enterprises, and local authorities across the UK. The initiative aims to remove barriers to STEM apprenticeship recruitment and promote diversity in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics careers.
What’s on Offer?
The fund will cover the full cost of apprenticeship training for eligible roles through levy transfers, enabling organisations that do not pay into the apprenticeship levy to access vital funding.
Who Can Apply?
- UK-based small businesses
- Charities
- Social enterprises
- Local authorities
Applicants must be recruiting into Science, Engineering, Technology and Mathematics (STEM)-based apprenticeships. The fund is intended for new apprentices, not existing staff, and is to benefit the following groups:
- women
- individuals from 'global majority'*
*Global majority refers to people who are "black, Asian, brown, dual-heritage, indigenous to the global south, and or have been racialised as 'ethnic minorities'" and "represent approximately 80% of the world's population (BBC,2024)
The funds are available to cover the cost of training an apprentice and can be drawn down from Virgin Media’s pot. The funding is not available to cover the salary of an apprentice.
Why It Matters
This initiative addresses key challenges identified in recent research, including:
- Cost pressures
- Complexity of training programmes
- Limited access to levy funds
It aligns with Virgin Media O2’s commitment to inclusive growth and future industry talent development.
How to Apply
There is no set deadline. Interested organisations should:
- Register or sign into the https://www.gov.uk/guidance/manage-apprenticeship-funds.
- Request funds from Virgin Media O2’s apprenticeship levy pot.
For more details, visit the Fuelling the future: £1m Apprenticeship Talent Fund - Virgin Media O2