Funding

Wehelpyouidentifyskillsgaps,makesenseofthefundingavailableandselecttheapprenticeshipprogrammesthatfitwithyourgoals.

95%

Don't pay the levy? The government funds 95% of your apprenticeship training costs.

What is the Apprenticeship Levy?

The Apprenticeship Levy is a UK government scheme introduced in April 2017 to fund apprenticeship training. It's designed to create a sustainable investment in skills development across the nation.

0.5% of Pay Bill

Large employers pay 0.5% of their annual pay bill into the levy, which is then available to spend on apprenticeship training.

£3m+ Threshold

Only employers with an annual pay bill exceeding £3 million are required to pay the levy, affecting around 2% of UK employers.

All Sectors Benefit

From healthcare to technology, apprenticeships are available across all industries, enabling businesses to grow skilled talent.

Learn More

Apprenticeship Programmes will Strengthen Your Whole Organisation

From early careers to experienced leaders, apprenticeship programmes are a proven way to build capability at every level of your business.

We can help you discover how your funding can support skills growth across your workforce.

Upskill Current Employees

Help existing team members gain formal qualifications in their current role, from Level 2 certificates to Level 7 degrees.

No Age Limit

There's no upper age limit for apprenticeships. Whether someone is 16 or 58, they can benefit from funded training and development.

Career Changers Welcome

Employees moving into new roles or departments can use apprenticeships to build expertise in their new area without leaving employment.

Leadership Development

Senior apprenticeships in management, leadership, and MBA programmes help develop your future leaders using levy funds.

"Over 40% of apprenticeship starts are by people aged 25 and over, many of whom are existing employees developing new skills."

How the Levy Works

A straightforward four-step process from contribution to workforce development.

1

Pay the Levy

Employers with pay bills over £3m contribute 0.5% monthly through PAYE.

2

Funds Appear in Account

Contributions appear in your digital apprenticeship service account.

3

Choose Training

Select apprenticeship standards and approved training providers for your employees.

4

Develop Your Workforce

Train new or existing staff from entry-level to degree-level qualifications.

Real Cost Example

See what you'd actually pay to enrol an employee on a £15,000 apprenticeship programme

Levy Payer

Pay bill over £3 million

Course Cost

£15,000

Paid from levy funds

You Pay

£0

Uses your existing levy pot

100% funded by levy

Non-Levy Payer

Pay bill under £3 million

Course Cost

£15,000

95% government funded

You Pay

£750

Just 5% of total cost

Save £14,250

Example based on a Level 4 Software Developer apprenticeship. Actual costs vary by programme and provider.

Levy in Numbers

Key figures that demonstrate the scale and impact of the apprenticeship levy scheme.

£1bn +

Collected Annually

£1bn +

Collected Annually

£1bn +

Collected Annually

Total levy contributions from UK employers

740+

Apprentjceship Standards

740+

Apprentjceship Standards

740+

Apprentjceship Standards

Available training programmes across sectors

20

Months to use funds

20

Months to use funds

20

Months to use funds

Time before levy funds expire

90%

Funding Available

90%

Funding Available

90%

Funding Available

For non-levy paying employers under £3m

Who Pays the Levy?

Understanding your obligations based on your organization's pay bill.

Levy Payers

Annual pay bill over £3 million

Pay 0.5% of total pay bill minus £15,000 annual allowance

Receive 10% government top-up on contributions

Access funds via digital apprenticeship service

Can transfer up to 25% of funds to other employers

Example: £10m pay bill = £50,000 levy - £15,000 allowance = £35,000 contribution

Non-Levy Payers

Annual pay bill under £3 million

No levy payments required

Government funds 95% of training costs

Employer pays just 5% co-investment

Can receive transferred funds from levy payers

Tip: SMEs with fewer than 50 staff get 100% funding for 16-18 year old apprentices

Funding eligibility England

Funding eligibility England

Funding eligibility England

Am I Eligible for Apprenticeship Funding?

A quick checklist of the learner conditions providers typically need to evidence - like right to work, residency, where the work happens, and whether the apprentice can complete the programme.

Immigration and residency
Working location
Programme rules
This is a practical pre-check for ESFA-funded apprenticeships. Residency status is detailed and must be confirmed against Annex A of the funding rules.
Evidence tip: keep a simple checklist trail (RTW, residency category, work-location plan, contract/visa duration) so providers can validate quickly.
Immigration and residency
Working location
Programme rules
This is a practical pre-check for ESFA-funded apprenticeships. Residency status is detailed and must be confirmed against Annex A of the funding rules.
Evidence tip: keep a simple checklist trail (RTW, residency category, work-location plan, contract/visa duration) so providers can validate quickly.
Immigration and residency
Working location
Programme rules
This is a practical pre-check for ESFA-funded apprenticeships. Residency status is detailed and must be confirmed against Annex A of the funding rules.
Evidence tip: keep a simple checklist trail (RTW, residency category, work-location plan, contract/visa duration) so providers can validate quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about the apprenticeship levy and how to make the most of it.

001

What happens to unused levy funds?

Levy funds expire 24 months after they enter your digital account. If not used, they're returned to the government to fund apprenticeships for other employers. It's important to plan your apprenticeship strategy to maximize your levy investment.

001

What happens to unused levy funds?

Levy funds expire 24 months after they enter your digital account. If not used, they're returned to the government to fund apprenticeships for other employers. It's important to plan your apprenticeship strategy to maximize your levy investment.

001

What happens to unused levy funds?

Levy funds expire 24 months after they enter your digital account. If not used, they're returned to the government to fund apprenticeships for other employers. It's important to plan your apprenticeship strategy to maximize your levy investment.

002

Can I use the levy for existing employees?

Yes! The levy isn't just for new hires. You can use funds to upskill existing employees through apprenticeships, from management programmes to technical qualifications. This is often called 'growing your own talent.'

002

Can I use the levy for existing employees?

Yes! The levy isn't just for new hires. You can use funds to upskill existing employees through apprenticeships, from management programmes to technical qualifications. This is often called 'growing your own talent.'

002

Can I use the levy for existing employees?

Yes! The levy isn't just for new hires. You can use funds to upskill existing employees through apprenticeships, from management programmes to technical qualifications. This is often called 'growing your own talent.'

003

What training costs does the levy cover?

The levy covers the cost of apprenticeship training and assessment delivered by approved training providers. It doesn't cover wages, travel costs, equipment, or other employment costs.

003

What training costs does the levy cover?

The levy covers the cost of apprenticeship training and assessment delivered by approved training providers. It doesn't cover wages, travel costs, equipment, or other employment costs.

003

What training costs does the levy cover?

The levy covers the cost of apprenticeship training and assessment delivered by approved training providers. It doesn't cover wages, travel costs, equipment, or other employment costs.

004

Can I transfter levy funds to other organisations?

Yes, levy-paying employers can transfer up to 25% of their annual levy funds to other employers. This is particularly useful for supporting apprenticeships in your supply chain or smaller businesses you work with.

004

Can I transfter levy funds to other organisations?

Yes, levy-paying employers can transfer up to 25% of their annual levy funds to other employers. This is particularly useful for supporting apprenticeships in your supply chain or smaller businesses you work with.

004

Can I transfter levy funds to other organisations?

Yes, levy-paying employers can transfer up to 25% of their annual levy funds to other employers. This is particularly useful for supporting apprenticeships in your supply chain or smaller businesses you work with.

Government Funding Rules Are Constantly Changing

Stay informed about the latest changes in government funding regulations and ensure your organization remains compliant.

Faq

Faq

Got Some Questions?

Got Some Questions?

Thinkingaboutapprenticeshipprogrammes?Hereiswhatyouneedtoknowfromsessionlogistics,supportandtheclarityyouneedtoexcel.

Thinkingaboutapprenticeshipprogrammes?Hereiswhatyouneedtoknowfromsessionlogistics,supportandtheclarityyouneedtoexcel.

Employers

Employers

Inourexperienceandworkingwithhundredsofemployersweunderstandthatbusinesseshavequestionsaboutinvestinginapprenticeshipprogrammes.Hereiswhatyouneedtoknow.

Inourexperienceandworkingwithhundredsofemployersweunderstandthatbusinesseshavequestionsaboutinvestinginapprenticeshipprogrammes.Hereiswhatyouneedtoknow.

001

Are apprenticeship programmes only for entry-level roles?

Within six to eight weeks, you’ll experience measurable progress toward your most important goals, including improved focus, confidence, and momentum.

002

Can apprenticeship programmes support existing staff, not just new hires?

Within six to eight weeks, you’ll experience measurable progress toward your most important goals, including improved focus, confidence, and momentum.

003

Will this distract teams from their day-to-day role?

Within six to eight weeks, you’ll experience measurable progress toward your most important goals, including improved focus, confidence, and momentum.

003

How do we know which programme is right for us?

Within six to eight weeks, you’ll experience measurable progress toward your most important goals, including improved focus, confidence, and momentum.

004

What about funding and the apprenticeship levy?

Within six to eight weeks, you’ll experience measurable progress toward your most important goals, including improved focus, confidence, and momentum.

005

Do we have to choose a training provider ourselves?

Within six to eight weeks, you’ll experience measurable progress toward your most important goals, including improved focus, confidence, and momentum.

006

What other support is available to businesses taking on apprentices?

Within six to eight weeks, you’ll experience measurable progress toward your most important goals, including improved focus, confidence, and momentum.

007

Is this suitable for small or growing businesses?

Within six to eight weeks, you’ll experience measurable progress toward your most important goals, including improved focus, confidence, and momentum.

008

How long does an apprenticeship take?

Within six to eight weeks, you’ll experience measurable progress toward your most important goals, including improved focus, confidence, and momentum.

009

What makes Rendstaff different?

Within six to eight weeks, you’ll experience measurable progress toward your most important goals, including improved focus, confidence, and momentum.

001

Are apprenticeship programmes only for entry-level roles?

Within six to eight weeks, you’ll experience measurable progress toward your most important goals, including improved focus, confidence, and momentum.

002

Can apprenticeship programmes support existing staff, not just new hires?

Within six to eight weeks, you’ll experience measurable progress toward your most important goals, including improved focus, confidence, and momentum.

003

Will this distract teams from their day-to-day role?

Within six to eight weeks, you’ll experience measurable progress toward your most important goals, including improved focus, confidence, and momentum.

003

How do we know which programme is right for us?

Within six to eight weeks, you’ll experience measurable progress toward your most important goals, including improved focus, confidence, and momentum.

004

What about funding and the apprenticeship levy?

Within six to eight weeks, you’ll experience measurable progress toward your most important goals, including improved focus, confidence, and momentum.

005

Do we have to choose a training provider ourselves?

Within six to eight weeks, you’ll experience measurable progress toward your most important goals, including improved focus, confidence, and momentum.

006

What other support is available to businesses taking on apprentices?

Within six to eight weeks, you’ll experience measurable progress toward your most important goals, including improved focus, confidence, and momentum.

007

Is this suitable for small or growing businesses?

Within six to eight weeks, you’ll experience measurable progress toward your most important goals, including improved focus, confidence, and momentum.

008

How long does an apprenticeship take?

Within six to eight weeks, you’ll experience measurable progress toward your most important goals, including improved focus, confidence, and momentum.

009

What makes Rendstaff different?

Within six to eight weeks, you’ll experience measurable progress toward your most important goals, including improved focus, confidence, and momentum.

Learners

Learners

Thinkingaboutanapprenticeshiptolearnnewskillsanddevelopyourcareer?Here’swhatyouneedtoknow.

Thinkingaboutanapprenticeshiptolearnnewskillsanddevelopyourcareer?Here’swhatyouneedtoknow.

001

Are apprenticeship programmes only for entry-level roles?

Within six to eight weeks, you’ll experience measurable progress toward your most important goals, including improved focus, confidence, and momentum.

002

What programme levels are available?

Within six to eight weeks, you’ll experience measurable progress toward your most important goals, including improved focus, confidence, and momentum.

004

Will I receive support throughout the programme?

Within six to eight weeks, you’ll experience measurable progress toward your most important goals, including improved focus, confidence, and momentum.

005

Do I choose the training provider?

Within six to eight weeks, you’ll experience measurable progress toward your most important goals, including improved focus, confidence, and momentum.

006

Do I have to pay anything towards my apprenticeship programme?

Within six to eight weeks, you’ll experience measurable progress toward your most important goals, including improved focus, confidence, and momentum.

007

Will it help me build and develop my professional network?

Within six to eight weeks, you’ll experience measurable progress toward your most important goals, including improved focus, confidence, and momentum.

001

Are apprenticeship programmes only for entry-level roles?

Within six to eight weeks, you’ll experience measurable progress toward your most important goals, including improved focus, confidence, and momentum.

002

What programme levels are available?

Within six to eight weeks, you’ll experience measurable progress toward your most important goals, including improved focus, confidence, and momentum.

004

Will I receive support throughout the programme?

Within six to eight weeks, you’ll experience measurable progress toward your most important goals, including improved focus, confidence, and momentum.

005

Do I choose the training provider?

Within six to eight weeks, you’ll experience measurable progress toward your most important goals, including improved focus, confidence, and momentum.

006

Do I have to pay anything towards my apprenticeship programme?

Within six to eight weeks, you’ll experience measurable progress toward your most important goals, including improved focus, confidence, and momentum.

007

Will it help me build and develop my professional network?

Within six to eight weeks, you’ll experience measurable progress toward your most important goals, including improved focus, confidence, and momentum.