Apprenticeships offer small and medium-sized businesses a cost-effective way to grow skills, boost productivity and build a future-ready workforce.
Under the UK apprenticeship funding system, SMEs do not pay the apprenticeship levy. Instead, the government covers 95% of apprenticeship training costs, leaving employers to contribute just 5%. In many cases, that remaining cost can also be covered through levy transfers from larger employers who want their unused levy funds to support SMEs.
This means apprenticeships can be low-cost — or even cost-neutral — while delivering real value to your business.
Why it’s worth it
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Develop skills tailored to your business
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Address skills gaps in areas like digital, engineering, business and care
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Improve staff retention and productivity
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Strengthen your reputation as an employer that invests in people
Getting started is simple
With generous government support and access to levy funding, now is the ideal time for SMEs to take on apprentices and invest in future growth.
