TUI UK&I has committed £1 million of its unspent Apprenticeship Levy to support other organisations in tackling skills shortages across the UK. The initiative is helping NHS trusts, charities and businesses to create vital training opportunities in sectors facing critical workforce challenges.
The transferred funds have enabled apprenticeships across sectors including Health & Social Care, Childcare, Wildlife Management, Engineering, NHS Paramedic training, and Dentistry qualifications.
NHS England has benefited significantly, with TUI funding 13 healthcare apprenticeships in the South East since September 2024. The £113,000 commitment supports training for Dental Nurses, Dental Practice Managers, Oral Health Practitioners, Pharmacy Technicians, and Children's services practitioners.
In addition, the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust has received funding for five Paramedic Apprentices, helping to address frontline emergency care staffing needs.
The levy transfer has also helped care charity, The Turner Home, a care charity, enable crucial Level 3 and Level 5 Adult Care qualifications for staff, directly enhancing resident care while allowing charitable funds to be directed elsewhere.
Meanwhile, commercial enterprise Fluid Science has expanded its marketing department through the scheme, providing career-change opportunities for new talent.
TUI's Emerging Talent & Apprenticeship Manager Marsha Myles said: "We are incredibly proud to have facilitated the transfer of apprenticeship levy funds to organisations that are making a real difference in our communities. We're not only helping to unlock opportunities for individuals who might otherwise be left behind but also strengthening the wider workforce and economy. It’s a powerful way to ensure that every pound of the levy works harder in building skills, driving social mobility, and creating a more inclusive future for all. TUI is a proud supporter of emerging talent, with around 3.5 per cent of our workforce made up of apprentices and graduates with our target to support 5 per cent".
Apprenticeship Lead, for South East WTE Clinical Professions Team NHS England Donna Harrison said: “Since September 2024, TUI has generously supported 13 learners commence apprenticeships across the NHS and wider health and social care in the South East. This is an absolutely incredible partnership which has allowed the Regional Apprenticeship Lead in NHS South East to act as a brokerage service working with the Quality & Compliance Apprenticeship Specialist at TUI to support organisations to get access to levy funds”.
Neil Lentern, Director of Paramedic Practice at South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) said: “We are incredibly grateful to TUI for their generous apprenticeship levy transfer, which will directly fund the education and development of five new Paramedic Apprentices. At SWASFT, we are committed to building and sustaining a highly skilled emergency care workforce. While we are an apprenticeship levy-paying organisation, the scale of our workforce development means additional funding is essential to meet increasing demand. TUI’s support will fully cover tuition fees for five apprentices, removing financial barriers and allowing them to focus on their learning and development, as well as helping us continue to grow our apprenticeship programmes and invest in the next generation of paramedics.”
