Every year, UK employers miss out on millions in unused apprenticeship funding. At Poultec, we help businesses use their apprenticeship levy to develop new and existing staff, address skill gaps, and grow strong, future-ready teams with apprenticeships.
What is the apprenticeship levy?
The Apprenticeship Levy is a government initiative that requires UK employers with an annual pay bill over £3 million to contribute 0.5% of their total payroll into their digital Apprenticeship Service account (DAS) each month. These funds can then be used to pay for apprenticeship training and assessment.
The funds are held in your Apprenticeship Service account and topped up with an extra 10% by the government – so there’s real value in using them before they expire (usually after 24 months).
How to access your apprenticeship levy funds
To use your levy funds, you’ll need to:
- Set up an Apprenticeship Service account if you haven’t already.
- Choose an approved training provider (like Poultec).
- Select the apprenticeship standard that fits your needs.
- Add apprentices to your account and authorise payments.
At Poultec, we support employers through the entire process, from set-up to delivery.
Making the most of your levy: 5 practical tips
- Train your existing team
Levy funds aren’t just for new hires. You can use them to upskill current staff, support career progression, and improve retention. Whether it’s developing new managers, improving customer service, or boosting administration expertise – apprenticeships work at every level.
- Plan strategically
Review your workforce development plans regularly. Align apprenticeships with business objectives so you’re using your funding to build the skills you need for growth and sustainability.
- Keep track of expiry dates
Levy funds expire 24 months after they’re added to your account. Keeping an eye on your balance and expiry schedule ensures you don’t lose out on funds you’ve already paid in.
- Transfer your levy to others
You can transfer up to 50% of your levy funds to other businesses – like suppliers or smaller companies in your network. This helps strengthen your wider business ecosystem and builds goodwill.
- Partner with an approved training provider
The Apprenticeship Provider and Assessment Register (APAR) lists training provider organisations who are eligible for government funding to train apprentices.
What apprenticeships can I fund with my levy?
We offer apprenticeship programmes at various levels across key business areas, including:
- Leadership & Management
- Business Administration
- Customer Service
- Dental
- Food Manufacturing
- Poultry Production
…and more.
Interested in maximising your levy?
We’re here to help you put your apprenticeship levy to work. Whether you’re planning to upskill your existing team or bring in fresh talent, we’ll help you get the best return on your investment.
Complete our free Training Needs Analysis or call 01362 850983.
