ISS Facility Services UK (ISS), has gifted more than £1m of its apprenticeship levy in 2025 to support apprenticeships across England, a significant milestone in its ongoing mission to make space for people and businesses to thrive.
Since the start of the year, ISS funds have supported 236 apprenticeships across 86 diverse organisations, with a particular focus on supporting young people and individuals with disabilities.
Over half of the funds have been allocated to apprenticeships supporting young people and individuals with disabilities, including roles in care homes and disability support organisations, with the rest funding various apprenticeships in social care, elderly care, early years education, refugee support and selected small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Polaris Community, a leading provider of children’s services, has been a key beneficiary of ISS’s levy gifting programme. Their participation has enabled staff to undertake the Children, Young People and Families Practitioner apprenticeship, to support services for vulnerable young people in care homes.
Ruth Holland, Quality Assurance and Safeguarding Auditor at Polaris, said: “These levy donations have played a vital role in enabling us to invest in staff training and development, ensuring our teams are fully prepared to meet the needs of the children and young people we support. Thank you to ISS for your continued support and commitment to our work with children and young people; your contribution is making a real and lasting difference.”
ISS’s apprenticeship levy gifting initiative is part of its broader social impact strategy, which aims to foster economic and social development in the communities where it operates. By leveraging its levy funds in this way, ISS is helping to create a sustainable talent pipeline that benefits not only the apprentices and the organisations they work for, but also wider society.
Rebecca Jeffs, Chief People Officer, ISS UK & Ireland, added: “This milestone is a testament to our commitment to the communities where we operate, and shows the transformative difference we’re making in people’s lives. By strategically directing our apprenticeship levy funds, we are not only supporting the development of essential skills, but also contributing to the wellbeing of communities across the UK, which aligns with our mission and values. We’re especially proud to empower so many young people and individuals with disabilities through apprenticeships, helping them gain experience in the workplace and build brighter futures.”
Steve Jones, Head of Employability, ISS UK & Ireland, commented: “Reaching this £1m milestone is a significant achievement. By funding apprenticeships in critical sectors, we are helping to develop the skills needed for the future workforce. Our focus on supporting young people and individuals with disabilities through apprenticeships is particularly rewarding, as it aligns with our commitment to creating inclusive employment opportunities.”
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