Apprenticeship funding pledges now live

29 September 2021

We’re making improvements to the Apprenticeship Service to ensure we meet the needs of businesses across England. Our latest update is now live – read on to find out more!

NOW LIVE  

All businesses, including intermediary bodies and training providers, can now review funding pledges from levy paying businesses – spread the word!


Our new service supports businesses to access important apprenticeship funding – helping them to create more apprenticeship opportunities so more people can get the jobs they want.

Since 13 September, levy paying employers have been able to create a pledge of up to 25% of their annual levy funds to support apprenticeships in other businesses. They can select how much funding they want to transfer and set optional criteria for the types of businesses and apprenticeships they would like to support.

Employers have already pledged over £1 million for the 2021 to 2022 financial year, with many more expected to pledge in the coming weeks.

All businesses can now browse these funding opportunities on a new gov.uk webpage. Employers can apply for funding to pay for 100% of their apprenticeship training and assessment costs (up to the funding band maximum).

Levy paying employers can use their apprenticeship service accounts to review, approve or reject any pledge applications.

BROWSE FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Check our guidance page for sending employers, our guidance page for receiving employers, and our webinar recording to find out more about our new online service and transfers in general.

REMINDER

‘My apprenticeship’ accounts


We launched ‘My apprenticeship’ accounts on 9 September.

The employer or training provider must now add a unique email address when adding an apprentice record to the Apprenticeship Service, including bulk uploads. This can be the apprentice’s personal, college or work email address, but not a group email address. Without a unique email address, you will not be able to bulk upload, save or approve the apprentice record, so funding cannot be allocated

COMING SOON

Access the latest versions of apprenticeship standards


Apprenticeship standards outline what an apprentice will be doing and the skills required of them, by job role. All apprenticeship standards begin at version 1.0. The content of standards is reviewed regularly, and when changes are made, new versions of standards are published with an updated version number.

From the start of October, when employers or providers add an apprentice to the Apprenticeship Service, they will be automatically assigned to the latest version of the chosen apprenticeship standard, based on the planned start date for the apprentice.

Employers and providers will also be able to move existing apprentices onto the latest versions of their apprenticeship standards, in line with the funding rules.

Employers and providers will not be able to move apprentices onto earlier versions of their apprenticeship standards.

This update will ensure apprentices receive training and assessment in line with the latest industry requirements, and employers can benefit from their up-to-date skills.

ACCESS SUPPORT

If your employer contacts require support using the apprenticeship service, they can watch our how-to videos, check the advice on apprenticeships.gov.uk or visit our help portal. From the help portal they can access help articles or contact an adviser for additional support.