Apprenticeship Levy transfer scheme

• What is the Apprenticeship Levy and transfer scheme
• Levy transfer funding guidelines
• Qualifying criteria
• Priority industries
• Before you start your application
• Apply for a transfer

Background

The Apprenticeship Levy was introduced in 2017 to help create a skilled UK workforce and put employers at the centre of the training system.

As a large levy-paying employer, the council can transfer up to 25 percent of our apprenticeship levy funding to other businesses to help train their apprentices. This helps to boost the number of high-quality apprenticeships in our region.

We are seeking applications from businesses in the city that need funding to develop their workforce.

To explore the benefits of employing an apprentice and your responsibilities as an employer, please visit the Government apprenticeships website.

Levy transfer funding guidelines

The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) has published a set of guidelines for transferring apprenticeship levy funds.

Transferred funds can only be used to pay for the training and assessment costs of approved apprenticeships. You are still responsible for paying the salaries of any apprentices you have.

Any employer wishing to use transferred funds must set up an account with the Apprenticeship Service and have a signed agreement with the Education and Skills Funding Agency.

Transfers can only be used for new apprenticeships - either new recruits or for existing staff - and cannot be used to fund existing apprenticeships.

You must apply for levy transfer funding before you hire your apprentice. Please ensure that you allow enough time to make your application and hire your apprentice before the start date of the apprenticeship training course you have selected.

For further details on your responsibilities as an employer when employing an apprentice, please see Government advice on employing an apprentice.

Qualifying criteria

To qualify for an apprenticeship levy transfer with Newcastle City Council, you must:

• deliver a service within Newcastle
• be a non levy paying employer
• have 250 or fewer employees
• be accredited under the Good Work Pledge or can demonstrate you are actively working towards it

Priority industries

We are particularly keen to support apprenticeships in industries such as:

• digital
• culture and creative
• low carbon
• ageing and life sciences
• care provision

We will prioritise applications from employers that deliver services in these sectors, however you can still apply if you do not.

We are also keen to support organisations that are an approved supplier under our procurement framework.

Before you start your application

Before you fill out an application please:

• check that you meet the qualifying criteria
• chose an apprenticeship standard for an apprenticeship in your industry, at a suitable level and find a training organisation that offers training
• create an online account with the Apprenticeship Service (with guidance available in the Government guide to setting up your apprenticeship account)
• sign the Education and Skills Funding Agency agreement (as part of registering with the Apprenticeship Service)

Apply for an apprenticeship levy transfer

If you have completed the steps above then you are ready to complete the Newcastle Apprenticeship Levy transfer application form.

If your application is successful, you will be notified by email within 28 days and will be provided with further guidance.

If you have any questions, please contact us by email.