Apprenticeship levy transfer scheme
Accessing funds to take on apprentices
We are offering to transfer apprenticeship levy funds to businesses in Redbridge to take on apprentices.
This is part of the council's aim to support local businesses and opportunities for employment and skills.
Apprenticeships provide a route to successful careers for people of all ages and enhances social mobility and economic prosperity in the borough.
What is the apprenticeship levy scheme?
The Apprenticeship Levy is designed to encourage employers to invest in apprenticeship programmes and workforce development to help to boost the number of high-quality apprenticeships across the borough.
Apprenticeships start at level 2 (equivalent to GCSE) and are available up to Master’s level with funding costs from £1,500 up to £27,000.
A variety of learning options are also available, including online, classroom-based, and one-to-one tuition. Find out about apprenticeship training courses
What are the benefits?
Redbridge businesses can benefit from these funds by:
- Recruiting an apprentice to work on tasks and projects that can have a direct impact on your business and bring fresh ideas and energy. Apprenticeships are open to anyone of working age, with no upper age limit. Funds can be used to pay for the training course an apprentice completes, enabling you to grow your own talent
- Upskilling your existing employees to learn new skills and gain a professional qualification to enhance their career and value to your business. Offering employees training is known to improve staff retention and foster a sense of loyalty
What is the criteria?
We can transfer funds to employers for new apprenticeship opportunities, particularly where the funds will create an apprenticeship that would not have been created without the funds. This can include new apprentices or existing employees undertaking an apprenticeship training course.
Employers must meet the following criteria:
- Your business must be registered or active in Redbridge, either located in the borough or requesting funds to offer apprenticeship training to a Redbridge resident
- You must not be a levy paying employer
- You will need to pay for the salaries of apprentices. The transfer of funds can only be used for the apprenticeship course training costs. It cannot be used for travel expenses or any membership fees
- A transfer of funds will only be considered by businesses who will pay their apprentice trainee or existing staff member at least the national minimum wage
- Employers must support the employees in their learning and development providing appropriate time to train during contracted hours
- Your request must be for future apprenticeship training. The request cannot be backdated on training that has already started
- For monitoring purposes, employers will also need to commit to notifying the council on the outcome of the apprenticeship
How to apply
If you would like to benefit from the free funding available, please complete the expression of interest for a transfer of apprenticeship levy funds.
We will then provide you with the application process, employer guidance and an application form to complete.
To maximise the benefit from the levy funds, employers should demonstrate in their application how the funding will contribute to Redbridge Council’s strategic priorities including:
- Redbridge organisations (including the third sector) supporting children, care leavers, the disabled, NEETS and long term unemployed
- Growth and skills shortages sectors for Redbridge in logistics, green economy, construction, health and social care, hospitality and digital
Applications for 2024/25 will close on Tuesday 24 December. This is to allow sufficient time for eligible receiving employers to commit their funds for apprenticeship training and council funds reconciliation during the final quarter of the current financial year.
