Caroola Group champion apprenticeship investment and support in collaboration with Paragon Skills to build better futures.

Caroola Group, formerly Optionis Group, is a leading professional services provider specialising in accountancy, tax, and payroll employment solutions for the UK’s self-employed community. Since its inception in May 2017,

Caroola Group has been at the forefront of apprenticeship initiatives, collaborating closely with Paragon Skills. Originally establishing itself as a leader in apprenticeship delivery, with over 300 apprentices annually and substantial levy fund investment, Caroola Group has now evolved into a dynamic force in the professional services sector. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the group has maintained its commitment to strategic account management and apprenticeship support. More recently, key investment has been made into the upskilling and development of their team with the launch of a dedicated Apprenticeship Academy.

The recent establishment of the Caroola Group Apprenticeship Academy marks a significant milestone, with the academy set to support the onboarding of 27 newly recruited Level 2 accountancy apprentices. Plans for the future include the recruitment of two apprentice cohorts annually, complete with clear progression pathways and incentives for Level 2 graduates to advance to Levels 3 and 4. The business has invested significantly in the recruitment of an Academy Manager and Team Leaders, who themselves are qualified individuals that specialise in the area of accounting to ensure that academy apprentices are given the best internal support throughout their apprenticeship journey.

Vic Halls, Head of Learning and Development Manager said:

“We are extremely proud to have launched the Caroola Academy, we are a company that is dedicated to investing in growing and developing our talent. Working in partnership with Paragon skills enables us to offer our apprentices the opportunity to gain a professional qualification, which complements our internal career and development path, equipping them with the skills they need to reach their career goals. “

Caroola Group pledges £640,000 from its apprenticeship levy fund alongside Paragon Skills to help SME’s support apprenticeships in the Residential Childcare sector.

As well as a commitment to the training and development of their colleagues, Caroola Group is working in partnership with Paragon Skills to invest and gift any unspent levy funds providing key support to smaller businesses. Caroola Group has pledged to support smaller businesses within the residential childcare sector by gifting their unspent apprenticeship levy through the levy transfer service. The Residential Childcare sector continues to struggle with an increasing demand for skilled care workers.

Recognising the importance of this vital sector, Caroola Group is playing their part in closing the industry’s skills gap by being able to not only invest in their own people, but indirectly in the employees of SMEs via the gifting of unspent levy funds.

One of the businesses that has benefited from the generous support of Caroola Group is Oakham House.

Pete Dyer-Davies, Senior Manager & Registered Homes Manager from Oakham House said:

“Without the generosity and commitment from Caroola we would not be able to offer staff this much needed training which is so important for our staff. In turn the children benefit from being cared for by skilled staff who have the knowledge and ability to support them through their individual circumstances. We are extremely grateful to Caroola for funding our staff NVQ training and would like to say thank you for your commitment to our staff and children.”

Andy Ross, CEO from Caroola Group said:

“As one of the Top 50 Apprentice Employers in the UK, Caroola is committed to a long-term business strategy that fully embraces the Apprenticeship Program.  Through the recently launched Caroola Academy, and our partnership with Paragon, we are able to provide a range of career opportunities and degree level qualifications for our Apprentices, meaning they are able to get on the career ladder and pursue the career of their choice, and avoid the burden of large and long-term student debt. We are also very pleased to be able to gift funding from our Apprenticeship Levy, to help facilitate further Apprenticeship opportunities to other businesses outside Caroola.”

Julie Proctor, Partnership Director from Paragon Skills said:

“Paragon Skills first began supporting apprenticeship opportunities to Caroola Group in May 2017; delivering 300 apprentices per year. Caroola Group remains dedicated to keeping customers at the core of its brand proposition, continuously evolving its products and services to align with the changing marketplace. This approach is not only about growing the business but also about nurturing talent for future success. Paragon Skills is proud to be working in partnership with Caroola Group supporting their plans to enhance their talent pool and maximize their levy spend both internally and through levy transfer gifting.”

Caroola Group and Paragon Skills have recently been shortlisted as a finalist in the Learning Excellence Awards, taking place in April 2024 in the category of ‘Business and Academic Partnerships – for business benefit’ based on the outstanding partnership work and impact.

Caroola Group’s proactive stance in utilising its unspent levy to benefit sectors beyond its own is setting a remarkable example. By championing apprenticeships, the company is not only investing in its own future but also contributing to the growth and development of other industries.