Amazon launches apprenticeship system, sellers: No, thank you

Yesterday, Amazon UK released a new announcement on its official seller forum, stating that it will launch an Amazon-funded apprenticeship system.

Amazon pointed out in the announcement that the US government introduced the apprenticeship tax in 2017 to address the growing domestic skills gap. Therefore, Amazon proposed to transfer funds to eligible sales partners to cover the full cost of training apprentices (up to degree level) in their business. Sellers can visit the Amazon-funded apprenticeship page and the seller help page to learn more about the specific application process of the apprenticeship system, the benefits to sellers and sellers' businesses, and preferential policies.

Amazon later stated in its announcement the minimum standard qualifications for Amazon-funded apprenticeships:

1. The seller's registered company address must be located in the UK

2. The seller's Seller Center account balance must be greater than 0 GBP

3. In the past 12 months, the seller's sales on Amazon's European store must exceed 1,000 pounds

4. The seller’s seller platform account must not be suspended or facing suspension

5. The seller must ensure that they can pay the apprentice a legal wage during the apprenticeship period

6. The seller's future virtual body must be at least 16 years old

7. Sellers’ future apprentices must have a manager who can track their progress

8. The seller’s future apprentices must have a line manager who can track their progress and generally comply with government transfer regulations.

Amazon said that if sellers have any questions, they can contact Amazon staff directly by sending an email to [email protected].

Afterwards, the sellers expressed their opinions in the forum.

Seller A: Has Amazon considered applying for government funding to help UK sellers train apprentices? I don't know if Amazon is eligible for funding, but if not, Amazon could use part of the money paid by sellers to pay Amazon's digital service tax. This is just an idea I have.

Seller B: “Have you considered an Amazon-sponsored apprenticeship?” No thanks.

Amazon

Seller