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Information for employers
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Intro

Understanding the benefits of apprenticeships for employers

The benefits of apprenticeships for employers are quickly becoming better known across the country, hence the rapid increase in take-up in recent years.

  • 1. Make the most of government funding

    Use government funding to prepare staff for a significant future in your business, by gaining internationally recognised qualifications.

    • If you’re a levy-paying employer, you can use the funds in your account to pay for apprenticeship training and assessment (up to a funding band maximum)
    • If you’re a non-levy paying employer, you can share the cost of apprenticeship training with the government.

    Note that the apprentice’s salary and associated costs (such as statutory licences to practice, travel and subsidiary expenses and work placement programmes where applicable) remain your responsibility as an employer.

    Learn more from the government's website or read more below.

  • 2. Save on the costs of recruitment

    Recruiting new staff is costly and can come with risks.

    Up-skilling existing staff is a great way to ensure your organisation has the capable personnel you need, without resorting unduly to new hires.

  • 3. Improve your service

    In a survey commissioned by the government in 2017, 86% of employers reported benefiting from ‘the development of skills relevant to the organisation’ by hiring apprentices.

    A further three-quarters highlighted 'improved productivity, better quality of product or service, and higher staff morale.'

  • 4. Support employees to develop skills and knowledge that are directly relevant to their jobs

    The syllabi for all degree apprenticeships have been designed in partnership with industry in order to plug existing skills gaps, meaning your employee will be learning what they need for success in their chosen field.

    The range of degree apprenticeship courses offered, both at UWL and nationwide, is set to continue expanding, so get in touch with us if you can’t see your preferred pathway on these pages.

  • 5. Motivate your employees

    One of the most significant benefits of apprenticeships for employers and staff alike, is that they help organisations keep their employees motivated and committed for the long-term, by helping them develop their skills over several years.

    Your apprentice(s) will be working in the knowledge that at the end of this period they will have a qualification that is tremendously valuable, to them individually and to you as an employer.

  • 6. Develop high calibre staff

    Well-trained, highly skilled staff add value to all organisations, both directly and through their ability to coach, mentor and train other team members.

    Build the team you need to meet your business objectives.

  • 7. Secure the best new talent

    Offering a degree apprenticeship provides a fantastic incentive to potential job applicants, enabling you to choose from the brightest and most dedicated jobseekers.

    If you partner with us, we'll list your opening on our apprenticeship vacancies page, helping you to attract high-calibre applicants.

How funding for higher and degree apprenticeships works

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Overview of how funding works

For the most up-to-date authoritative information on apprenticeship funding, we recommend consulting the official government guidance directly.

Here is how the funding for higher and degree apprenticeships works for both levy and non-levy paying employers, as applied to apprentices aged 19 years and over. Higher and degree apprenticeships can be a highly cost-effective way to train existing staff, hire the best and brightest new employees, and plug skills gaps in your organisation.

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Depending on the size of your payroll bill, the fees for putting an employee through one of our higher or degree apprenticeships will be either:

(a) 100% covered by the apprenticeship levy or

(b) 95% funded by the government (formerly 90%)

*Subject to ESFA confirmation of start date.

To find out how apprenticeship funding will work for your organisation, scroll down or click on the relevant link:

  1. We have a payroll bill of OVER £3m
  2. We have a payroll bill of UNDER £3m

  • 1. We have a payroll bill of OVER £3m

    If your pay bill is over £3m, your organisation will already be paying the apprenticeship levy. This recently introduced tax equates to 0.5% of your pay bill over £3m. 

    The funds generated from your payments, along with a government top-up, go into your organisation’s digital apprenticeship service account. 

    If you’ve found a suitable apprenticeship at the University of West London, the good news is that the money in this account can be used to cover 100% of our fees. 

    How much is available in your account? In the government’s words: 

    The amount of funding that an employer paying the levy can access is linked to the value of an employer’s levy contributions, the proportion of employees working in England and a government top-up. 

    Access your digital account to view and access your funds or learn more from the government website.

    Please note that funds from the levy only cover apprenticeship tuition and assessment. Your apprentice’s salary, for example, remains the direct responsibility of you as an employer.

    Sharing the levy

    If you are in a group of companies that pay the levy, you have the option of pooling your funds in a shared apprenticeship account. Levy-paying employers will be able to transfer up to 25% of the annual value of funds entering their apprenticeship service account.

    • You can find detailed information about transferring your apprenticeship funds on the government website.

  • 2. We have a payroll bill £3m or less.

    As an employer with a payroll bill of £3m or less, you do not pay the Apprenticeship Levy.

    Instead, by working with an approved training provider such as UWL, you can share the cost of training and assess your apprentice with the Government.

    You will pay just 5% of the total agree price with the Government covering the rest. This is called ‘Government Co-investment.’ 

    Reserving funds from the Government for your apprentice.

    • It is very important that you reserve the 95% funding from the Government by registering on the government website.

    How funding works and guidance for non-levy reserving of funds.

    How to register and use the apprenticeship service as an employer

    Please note, funding must be reserved before the apprentice starts their apprenticeship. Funds are only valid for three months following the reservation.

    Finally, to cover your 5% apprenticeship training and assessment contribution, your organisation will be set up on UWL’s finance system and be invoiced the agreed amount.

  • Funding bands

    You may have seen the expression ‘subject to funding band maximums’ in your research.

    This refers to the 15 bands into which all approved apprenticeships in England fall. Note however that the government has announced that the number will double to 30 funding bands from August 2018.

    The upper-limit of these bands ranges from £1,500 to £27,000, and will remain so after August 2018. This number represents the maximum amount the government will commit to pay for an apprenticeship.

    The fees for all of UWL’s higher and degree apprenticeships fall within their assigned bands.

    In the case of levy-paying employers, this is subject to enough overall funds being available in your apprenticeship account, which you can check online.

    See the official information about funding bands on the government website.

    Please call Janet Rowson on 020 82312607 or email janet.rowson@uwl.ac.uk if you would like to know more about funding for your higher or degree apprenticeship.

Hiring an apprentice: How we can help

A happy job applicant who has just received a job offer

UWL is on hand at every stage of the recruitment process to make hiring an apprentice as straightforward as possible.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how we can help:

  • 1. Advertising your vacancy

    We can work with you in drafting and posting your vacancy on the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) website.

    We will also post your vacancy on the degree apprenticeship vacancies page.

    You may also wish to use commercial job agencies or advertise on local job sites, newspapers or your own website, for example.

  • 2. Candidate screening

    UWL will help you select the best candidate(s) based on their eligibility, qualifications and, where applicable, work history (eg for mature applicants). Benefit from comments and insights from UWL’s specialists such as the Associate Head Degree apprentices and academic tutors.

  • 3. Shortlisting

    At the shortlisting stage, UWL will begin emailing or calling applicants to verify their applications or seek clarification on anything unclear.

  • 4. Assessment Day

    We can support your assessment day, which can take place either at UWL or at your workplace. We have a range of assessment material to support to the event.

  • 5. Selection and appointment

    Once the apprenticeship offer has been made between the employer and candidate, UWL requires the apprentice to complete our online application system. This process, which includes uploading evidence of qualifications, helps us to ensure we’re aware of any specific learning needs.

  • 6. Giving feedback to unsuccessful applicants

    We are happy to provide feedback to unsuccessful applicants via the portal provided by the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS).

  • 7. UWL Admissions

    The University’s Admissions team carries out final checks for eligibility, contact the applicant for clarification as required, and send joining instructions.

    The support we provide to you as an employer continues throughout the duration of the apprenticeship, including regular meetings with your Apprenticeship Support Link Tutor (ASLT).

Contact us

Contact us on green background

To find out how we can support your business, contact Janet Rowson, Director of Apprenticeships at the University of West London:

For enquiries specifically about the Policing Apprenticeships with the Metropolitan Police Service, please contact Vasileios Lepidas, PEQF Contract Manager: