Find funding and support

Government support

We can support the growth and success of your business, by helping you bring in fresh talent and build your employee’s skills.

Whether you’re a large organisation or a small-to-medium enterprise, a range of government funding and support is available to help you. 

The amount of funding you get depends on whether your organisation pays the apprenticeship levy. You can estimate the funding available to cover your apprentice’s training costs. 

The government also provides extra financial support to employers to help with apprenticeship training expenses.

Incentive payments and grants

These are the types of support available from the government:

• £1,000 incentive payment for businesses hiring apprentices who are:  
• £2,000 incentive payment for employers who hire foundation apprentices aged 16 to 21
• Additional grants for travel and accommodation available for Construction Industry Training Board (CITB)-registered employers and their apprentices 
• £724 of Government funding is available for apprentices who need to achieve minimum level 2 English and maths 
• Employers are exempt from paying National Insurance contributions from apprentices under 25 earning under £50,270 annually  
• Potential eligibility for additional funding support from local government sources. Check with your local authority to see what is available in your area. 

Levy transfers and full funding

Apprenticeships and foundation apprenticeships

Businesses that do not pay the apprenticeship levy normally contribute 5% of training costs, while the government covers the remaining 95% (up to the funding band maximum for that apprenticeship training course). However, no employer contribution is needed if you: 

• receive a levy transfer from another employer 
• apprentice is under 22 years old (for new starts from 1 April 2024) 
• your apprentice is 22 to 24 years old with an education, health and care plan (EHCP) or is, or has been, in care (for new starts from 1 April 2024) 

Apprenticeship units

The government will fund all of the training costs for apprenticeship units for employers who do not pay the apprenticeship levy (up to the funding band maximum for the apprenticeship unit). You can also receive a levy transfer from another employer.

Bursaries and other support

Care leavers' bursary

Apprentices who are currently in care or leaving care may be eligible for the care leaver's bursary.

The Care Leaver Covenant’s inclusive employer toolkit can help you provide the right support for care leavers in apprenticeships. 

Support for disabled apprentices and apprentices with a learning difficulty

Training providers receive monthly payments to help disabled apprentices or apprentices with a learning difficulty. Employees can also receive Access to Work grants, which provide practical workplace adjustments and support for staff with disabilities or health conditions.