Every business in England with an annual salary bill of £3million or more pays into the apprenticeship levy. The current rate is 0.5% of their total pay bill.

Every employer in England can access the apprenticeship levy, whether they pay into it or not.

Employers who do not pay into the levy can still access the funds. They will be asked to make a small contribution to the cost of the training. The employer pays 5% directly to their chosen training provider, and the government will pay 95%.

The apprentice must be an employee with a contract of employment which is long enough to complete the apprenticeship successfully (including the end-point assessment), this does not include individuals who are self-employed.

See Employer funding rules for further information

Employers who pay into the levy will be provided with a Digital Apprenticeship Service (DAS) account. In this account you will be able to view your balance, review your spend and plan your apprenticeship training for your employees.

All apprentices will be required to complete a minimum 6 hours per week of off-the-job training. This is a funding requirement for all apprenticeships.

Off-the-job training supports the apprentice in achieving the knowledge, skills and behaviours outlined in the relevant apprenticeship standard. It may include lectures, webinars, extra reading or completing assignments. It must take place during the employees contracted, paid working hours (not overtime).

At Hult Ashridge we use an online platform that both the apprentice and their line manager can access. The (minimum) 6 hours per week off-the-job training must be recorded here, alongside feedback from the line manager and evidence gathered to build the portfolio of learning needed for the end point assessment.

On-the-job training is quite simply training which takes place in the workplace – usually administered by your manager, or co-workers. On-the-job training helps you to acquire the knowledge, skills and behaviours to do your job efficiently and apply your learning.

Yes. The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) Funding Rules require all applicants who wish to undertake a Level 3 or above apprenticeship to hold or to achieve an approved Level 2 in English and Maths before they can successfully complete an apprenticeship. This is a statutory requirement. If you have English and Maths at Grade C or above at GCSE (or equivalent) you will be asked to provide evidence prior to submitting your application to your chosen apprenticeship.

Apprentices will be enrolled onto functional skills training if they are not able to provide evidence that they hold the relevant qualifications. All apprentices undertaking functional skills must complete it within the first twelve months of their apprenticeship.