Frequently Asked Questions
Q: WHAT KIND OF THINGS WILL THE APPRENTICESHIP LEVY ALLOW BUSINESSES TO DO WITH FUNDING?
A: The money can ONLY be spent on apprenticeships.
Q: CAN BUSINESSES CHOOSE THEIR OWN APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING PROVIDERS?
A: Yes they can. As long as the training provider is on the government's RoATP (Register of Approved Training Providers).
Q: IF A COMPANY IS NOT A LEVY PAYER WILL THEY HAVE TO PAY A CONTRIBUTION FOR TRAINING?
A: Yes they will. Non-levy paying companies will pay 10% of the training fee and government will pay the remaining 90%.
Q: DOES THE LEVY ONLY APPLY TO COMPANIES IN ENGLAND?
A: No - the Apprenticeship Levy applies to all businesses in the UK. However, the new funding rules only apply in England.
Q: Currently 16-18 year old learners are fully funded by the government, will this remain under the Levy?
A: Only firms with <50 employees employing a 16-18 year old will receive full funding. There is a £1000 incentive payment for all employing 16-18yr olds.
Q: When can Levy payers start taking on new apprentices?
A: Apprentices can be signed up under the new funding rules from 1 May 2017.
Q: What is the difference between a framework and a standard?
A: Standards are new apprenticeship programmes defined under the government's trailblazer programme. The key differences between old style frameworks and new style standards are as follows:
|
Frameworks |
Standards |
|
Defined by sector skills council |
Defined by employers |
|
Continuous on programme assessment |
Independent end point assessment |
|
Not graded |
Graded |
|
Regulated qualifications (VRQ or Tech Cert and NVQ) are mandatory components |
May not contain any regulated qualifications |
Q: I am a levy paying employer. What happens when I have spent all of my money in my digital account?
A: Your training provider should invoice you for 10% of the outstanding balance and the government will pay the balance.
Q: How do I find out what the maximum amounts for each apprenticeship are that the government will allow funds to be paid from my digital account if I am a levy paying employer?
A: The funding bands for frameworks and standards are at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apprenticeship-funding-bands
Q: How do I find out what the maximum amounts for each apprenticeship are that the government will co-fund if I am a non-levy paying employer?
A: The funding bands for frameworks and standards are at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apprenticeship-funding-bands
Q: Can someone who has a degree qualification be funded on an apprenticeship?
A: Under the new funding rules anyone can undertake an apprenticeship at the same or a lower level as a previously held qualification as long as you can demonstrate that there is significant new learning e.g. someone who has an honours degree (level 6) in geography could undertake a Level 3 Machine Printing Apprenticeship as there would be significant new learning.
Q: What is the maximum age that you can be to start an apprenticeship?
A: There is no upper age limit for an apprentice.
Q: Does an apprentice have to be a new recruit to my business?
A: No, it can be an existing member of staff that you want to upskill.
