SOUTH YORKSHIRE APPRENTICESHIP HUB SURPASSES TARGET WITH OVER 300 NEW APPRENTICESHIPS IN THE REGION

Published 10 February 2026 at 11:32am

South Yorkshire is marking National Apprenticeship Week by announcing a major milestone: the region’s Apprenticeship Hub has exceeded its initial target, supporting the careers of 305 new Apprentices since its launch in December 2023.  

The achievement highlights a growing momentum behind Apprenticeships in the region. New figures show 8,860 Apprentices started in the 2024/25 academic year, an increase of nearly 500 from the previous year. 

Since its launch, the Hub has generated £4.35 million in pledged Apprenticeship Levy from large employers — a UK tax paid by organisations with an annual pay bill over £3 million to fund apprenticeship training.  

Of this, £3.65 million has already been deployed to support businesses, particularly those who have not taken on an apprentice in the last 24 months, through the South Yorkshire Apprenticeship Levy Matchmaking Service, which enables unspent levy funds to be transferred to smaller employers. 

The South Yorkshire Apprenticeship Hub was created to boost the number and quality of apprenticeship opportunities across the region. The milestone comes as the Hub has now been brought into the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority after previously being run in partnership with the South Yorkshire Colleges Partnership. 

Apprenticeship Hub Development Manager, Keith Richardson, said: “Reaching this milestone is a real testament to the hard work of our team and the commitment of employers across South Yorkshire. Apprenticeships are vital to helping businesses grow and giving people clear, practical routes into good careers, and the demand we’re seeing shows just how important this support is. 

“The Hub was designed to make it easier for employers - especially SMEs - to navigate the apprenticeship system, access Levy funding and find the talent they need. We’re proud to have helped more than 300 new apprentices into roles since launch and bringing the Hub into SYMCA means we can strengthen that support even further. 

“Our focus now is on building on this momentum, working with partners across the region to ensure even more people can develop skills, access opportunities and build their futures here in South Yorkshire.” 

Based at the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) offices in Sheffield, the Hub provides a one-stop shop for businesses offering: 

• Information, advice and guidance 
• Support to access technical talents and tackle skills shortages 
• Progression pathways into and out of Level 2 and Level 3 apprenticeships 

Support for developing a public-sector approach, including flexi-job apprenticeships 

The Hub was initially tasked with delivering at least 300 new apprenticeships by the end of 2025, as part of a two-year pilot scheme. This target was hit in November 2025. 

Hannah Din, Founder & CEO at Thrive Social Capital CIC, said: “When we first considered bringing an apprentice into our organisation to support our growth and community projects, we weren’t quite sure where to begin. The South Yorkshire Apprenticeship Hub have been absolutely phenomenal in guiding us through every stage of the process. 

“Thanks to the Hub’s step-by-step guidance and unwavering commitment, we’ve been able to bring new energy, talent, and innovation into our team. Our apprentice is already making a meaningful contribution, and this experience has reinforced how vital apprenticeship programmes are in nurturing local talent, supporting inclusion, and driving regional growth. 

“The South Yorkshire Apprenticeship Hub doesn’t just connect employers with apprentices; it connects purpose with opportunity.”  

Find out more information on the South Yorkshire Apprenticeship Hub by visiting the website.