The Apprenticeship Levy has been in place since 2017, yet many UK employers are still unclear on how to fully utilise it. As a leading apprenticeship training provider for businesses, Ginger Nut Training is here to help you understand how the levy works—and how it can be a powerful tool for workforce development.
In this guide, we’ll break down the levy, who pays it, how to access the funding, and how to hire apprentices through a training provider to make the most of it.
What is the Apprenticeship Levy?
The Apprenticeship Levy is a government initiative aimed at increasing investment in apprenticeships. It applies to UK employers with an annual payroll of over £3 million. These employers must contribute 0.5% of their wage bill into a digital apprenticeship account, which can be used to fund apprenticeship training.
If your business doesn’t meet the £3 million threshold, don’t worry—you can still benefit from government co-funding, where the state covers up to 95% of the cost of training through an approved provider.
Who Pays It—and Who Benefits?
- Levy-paying employers: If your business pays the levy, you can claim back the funds (plus a 10% top-up from the government) to pay for approved apprenticeship training in England.
- Non-levy-paying employers: If you don’t meet the threshold, you can still benefit through co-investment, sharing costs with the government.
- All employers: Whether you pay the levy or not, you can work with an apprenticeship training provider for businesses to recruit or upskill talent.
How to Use Your Levy Funds
Levy funds can only be used to pay for apprenticeship training delivered by a registered provider. That’s where we come in. At Ginger Nut Training, we offer fully accredited corporate apprenticeship training UK that aligns with your business goals.
You can use levy funds to:
- Upskill current employees at any age or career stage
- Train new recruits via apprenticeships
- Build tailored training pathways aligned to your business strategy
Funds expire after 24 months, so it’s important to use them before they are lost.
Hiring Apprentices Through a Training Provider
One of the most effective ways to maximise your levy is to hire apprentices through a training provider like Ginger Nut Training. We handle:
- End-to-end recruitment and candidate matching
- Bespoke programme design
- Progress tracking and reporting
- Compliance and funding management
This ensures that your levy investment delivers real ROI in terms of talent, productivity, and retention.
Make the Levy Work for Your Business
Many employers view the Apprenticeship Levy as just another tax, but it’s actually a valuable resource for developing skills and boosting performance. Whether you’re a large corporation or an SME, working with a dedicated apprenticeship training provider for businesses means you can turn your levy contributions into long-term business growth.
Why Choose Ginger Nut Training?
We specialise in delivering corporate apprenticeship training UK tailored to your organisation’s needs. From levy advice to programme delivery, we ensure you get the best return on your apprenticeship investment.
Contact us today to find out how to unlock the full value of your Apprenticeship Levy.