Ryan FowlerRoyal Mail is doubling its apprenticeship support for small businesses by gifting a further £1m of its levy to fund training and skills development.
The funding, available to firms with up to 250 employees that sell products online, forms part of the Royal Mail Means Business campaign, aimed at helping SMEs across the UK grow.
The second phase follows the success of the first £1m round launched in June, which was oversubscribed and allocated to 140 SMEs across sectors including e-commerce, manufacturing, engineering, and health and care services.
The funding supported a variety of apprenticeships, from marketing and HR to software development and data technician roles.
Eligible businesses can now apply for funding to cover any Government-approved apprenticeship programme, spanning areas such as digital marketing, AI, finance, and sector-specific training.
The initiative is designed to help small businesses build the skills they need to grow in a competitive market.
The Royal Mail Means Business campaign was introduced after research conducted with the British Chambers of Commerce found that only a third of SMEs expected to grow in 2025, with a shortage of skills cited as a key barrier.
The campaign includes several commitments, such as a new Small Business Hub offering advice and information, enhanced support for exporters, and initiatives to address skills gaps.
Paula Stannett, chief people officer at Royal Mail, said: “After an overwhelming response to our first £1 million round of apprenticeship funding, we’re proud to double our commitment and help even more businesses.
“With apprenticeship courses available for a wider range of subjects, they are an excellent way for companies to upskill their workforce.
“Royal Mail plays a unique role in supporting small and medium businesses across the UK, and this funding is part of our broader mission to help them thrive in today’s competitive market.”
Companies with an annual wage bill of £3m or more must pay into the apprenticeship levy, with the option to gift part of it to other organisations.
Royal Mail said it had chosen to direct its support towards small businesses due to its long-standing role in serving companies of all sizes nationwide.
Applications for the latest round of funding are now open via the Royal Mail Small Business Hub.
