Employers in England who pay the apprenticeship levy (those with an annual pay bill of more than £3 million) will be able to pledge unspent levy funds (up to their 25% transfer allowance) to support apprenticeships in other businesses.  All businesses will be able to see these pledges on a public website and apply for funding to pay for 100% of their apprenticeship training and assessment costs (up to the funding band maximum).

If you wish to re-appraise yourself on the existing arrangements for transfers please take a look here: Transferring unused apprenticeship funds to other employers – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Transferred funds will be used to pay for the training and assessment cost of the apprenticeships agreed with the receiving employer.

Sending and receiving employers need to know that:

  • funds are paid monthly for the duration of the apprenticeship
  • only levy-paying employers can make a transfer
  • any employer can receive, and use transferred funds
  • sending and receiving employers have to be registered on the apprenticeship service: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/manage-apprenticeship-funds
  • a transfer can only be used to pay for training and assessment for apprenticeship standards
  • transfers can only be used for new starts, except where the apprentice is changing employer and an agreement to continue their apprenticeship with their new employer is through a transfer of levy funds

The latest document on Apprenticeship funding (not the funding rules) can be found here and on page 4 there is mention of the new pledge functionality Apprenticeship funding – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

You can catch up with Education and Skills Funding Agency apprenticeship related webinars you can find a recording here on the ‘you tube’ site in the apprenticeship service – webinar recordings playlist: esfagovuk – YouTube

George Swann FIS Skills and Training Lead said:

“This allows large apprenticeship levy paying organisations to give direct support to micro and small businesses and provides an opportunity to keep the apprenticeship funding in the finishes and interiors sector.  As young people consider their future options now is a great time to investigate taking on an apprentice or pledge unspent apprenticeship levy funds for smaller organisations to utilise”.

Skills Hub

The Skills Hub brings together details of courses specific to the finishes and interiors sector, making accessing and booking training quick and easy. In addition, it provides information on sector careers, apprenticeships and funding, as well as access to e-learning, CPD and other training.