For employers

Apprenticeships that actually work for your business

Jargon-free guide to what apprenticeships cost, what you get, how the levy works, and why BrightPeak is different. No faff. Just the facts.

Why it makes sense

Six reasons businesses
choose apprenticeships

💷
Government-funded training
Up to 100% of training costs covered for levy-paying employers. Even small businesses benefit — the government covers 95% through co-investment.
🎯
Skills built around you
No off-the-shelf programmes. We co-design delivery around your culture, structure, and specific business goals.
📈
Better staff retention
Employees who are invested in through training are significantly more likely to stay. Apprenticeships signal you value your people.
🔍
Free recruitment service
We handle the whole recruitment process at no cost — advertising, screening, and presenting you with the best candidates.
🌱
Upskill existing staff
Apprenticeships aren't just for new joiners. Fund development for your existing workforce — managers, specialists, and everyone in between.
✅
We handle all the compliance
Funding claims, off-the-job tracking, EPA preparation — we manage the admin so your team can focus on the work that matters.
Funding explained

The apprenticeship levy —
demystified

The levy was introduced in 2017. Here's exactly what it means for your business — whether you pay into it or not.

What is the apprenticeship levy?

The apprenticeship levy is a 0.5% charge on the annual payroll of UK employers with a wage bill over £3 million. The money sits in a digital account — your levy pot — and can only be spent on apprenticeship training.

If you're a levy payer: you've already paid in. That money expires after 12 months if unused. BrightPeak helps you use it strategically — funding training that genuinely builds your business, not just ticking boxes.

If you're not a levy payer (payroll under £3m): you access apprenticeships through co-investment. The government pays 95%, and you contribute just 5% of the agreed training cost.

For example, a Level 3 Business Administrator apprenticeship costing £7,000 total would cost a non-levy employer just £350.

Levy employer
Payroll over £3m
You pay the levy — use your pot before it expires.
  • Up to 100% of training costs from your levy pot
  • If you exhaust your levy, you pay 25% of any additional costs
  • £15,000 government allowance offset
  • Can transfer up to 25% of levy to supply chain
  • Unused funds expire after 12 months
Non-levy employer
Payroll under £3m
Access via government co-investment — incredibly cost effective.
  • Government pays 95% of agreed training costs
  • You contribute just 5%
  • e.g. £350 for a £7,000 programme
  • No cap on number of apprentices
Funding calculator
Estimate your investment for a BrightPeak apprenticeship

Indicative only. Contact us for a tailored funding breakdown.

Common questions

Employer FAQ

Can existing employees do an apprenticeship?
Yes — apprenticeships aren't just for school leavers or people taking the first step on their career. Your existing employees can use them to gain a formal qualification, upskill, or transition into a new role. They just need to be spending at least 50% of their working hours in England and not already have a qualification at the same or higher level in the same subject. You can also have levy funds transferred from another company that pays the levy but doesn't use all of it.
What's off-the-job training and will it disrupt our business?
Off-the-job training is the study element — typically around 6 hours per week, or equivalent. It doesn't have to mean a day a week out of the office. We work with you to structure it in a way that fits your business — whether that's block learning, online modules, or a blend. We manage all the tracking and compliance. Read our off-the-job training guide for more detail.
How quickly can we start?
Enrolment is flexible — you can start at any point during the year. For new recruits, we can usually begin the recruitment process within a few weeks of your initial call with us. Existing employees can be enrolled as soon as the paperwork is in order.
What if the apprentice leaves before they finish?
If an apprentice leaves, you stop being charged for training from that point. Levy funds already used are not recovered. We work hard to make sure apprentices stay motivated and on track — our 85% success rate reflects that commitment.
Do we have to pay the apprentice the minimum wage?
Yes. Apprentices are employees and must be paid at least the National Minimum Wage. The current apprentice rate is £7.55 per hour for under-19s or those in the first year of their apprenticeship. After that, the standard NMW applies: £12.21 for ages 21+, £10.00 for 18-20. Most of our employer partners pay above these rates to attract and retain strong candidates.
We're a small business — is this really for us?
Absolutely. Small and medium businesses are often the ones who benefit most — the co-investment model means you can get high-quality training for as little as 5% of the cost. We work with businesses of all sizes and are used to making the process as light-touch for you as possible.

Let's talk about what's right for your business.

Book a free, no-commitment call. No jargon, no hard sell — just an honest conversation about what apprenticeships could do for you.

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