Bursaries and funding explained
Apprenticeship levy funding
The apprenticeship levy is a government initiative introduced in 2017 to help businesses invest in apprenticeships and develop a skilled workforce for their business. Find out more about the apprenticeship levy and what it means for your business here.
How to apply for funding
To qualify for apprenticeship funding, you’ll need to create an account on the Digital Account Service. We can support you with this.
For further information about funding, visit the government’s Funding an apprenticeship page.
Paying your apprentice
You’re responsible for paying your apprentice for their working hours and the training they do as part of the apprenticeship programme. You must pay them at least the National Minimum Wage.
The current minimum hourly rate for an apprentice is £6.40*. If the apprentice is aged 19+, they can be paid the minimum apprenticeship wage for a maximum of 12 months. After that, they must be paid the minimum wage for their age.
* Correct as of April 2024. Subject to change.
National Insurance contributions
If your apprentice is under 25 years old, on an approved standard and earns less than £967 a week, you may not need to pay Class 1 National Insurance contributions. For more information, check out Paying employer National Insurance contributions for apprentices under 25.
