Angela Renshaw, Premier Training’s Director of Apprenticeships, gives the lowdown on the apprenticeship levy – and outlines the financial support available for employers who do not currently pay into it…
The apprenticeship levy is a way the government encourages employers to invest in training their staff. If a company has a payroll over £3 million, they pay 0.5% of it into the levy, which can then be used to fund apprenticeship training.
Even businesses that don’t pay the levy can still access government funding. In fact, for apprentices aged 16–21, training is fully funded, and for smaller employers, they only need to contribute 5% of the cost.
A common challenge is that employers aren’t always sure how to make the most of these funds. The best results happen when training providers work closely with employers to create programmes that match the skills the business really needs.
This means identifying where staff need to upskill, designing learning around the workplace, and giving support to both the apprentice and the employer along the way.
Flexibility is key. Off-the-job learning doesn’t have to take long chunks of time away from work, it can be broken into smaller, manageable sessions that fit around a busy schedule.
When employers and providers work in partnership, the levy becomes more than a payment, it’s a tool to grow talent, boost productivity, and prepare the workforce for the future.
For more information on Premier Training’s apprenticeship provision – click here.
