The Apprenticeship Levy
If you have a pay bill of over £3m, you are required to pay the Apprenticeship Levy (0.5% of pay bill) to HMRC. Employers can invest this levy in the training and assessment of apprentices by government-approved providers (like us).
If the amount you have paid is not enough to cover the cost of the chosen apprenticeship, the government will co-fund 95% of the difference, up to the maximum funding level for that apprenticeship. You will need to co-fund the remaining 5%. If the cost of your apprenticeship programme exceeds the funding band maximum, you will have to pay the additional costs.
You can use this money to pay for the training and assessment of apprentices but not to pay their wages.
You will need to register for the apprenticeship service so you can manage your apprenticeship funds. You will be able to pay for training and assessment from your account. The government will apply a 10% top-up to the funds you have to spend in your account.
Example Levy Funding
1
Fewer than 50 employees where the apprentice is 16-18-years-old
No cost to employer - government pays all. Incentive payment of £1,000 for taking on an under 19-year-old.
2
For Levy paying employers (payroll greater than £3m)
£27,000 comes out of the employer’s Levy pot. Any shortfall is 95% co-funded by the government, meaning it will cost the employer only £1,350 per apprentice (5%) over 4 years or £337.50 a year. Incentive payback of £1,000 for taking on an under 19- year- old.
3
For non-Levy paying employers (payroll less than £3m)
Employer pays 5% of capped cost = £1,350 over 4 years or £337.50 a year. Incentive payment of £1,000 for taking on an under 19-year-old.
Visit our dedicated page for Non-Levy Payers for more information.
