What are the Apprenticeship Funding Bands?
Both apprenticeship standards and frameworks come with an associated funding band. The funding band shows the maximum amount that the government will contribute towards that qualification for each apprentice trained.
What does “upper limit” mean in relation to the funding bands?
From the 1st August 2018 the apprenticeship funding bands include 30 bands, and the upper limit of the government’s contribution is capped as shown by the table below.
The upper limit shows the maximum amount that the government will agree to co-fund, along with the employer, in order to pay for the apprenticeship training. As this is a maximum amount, and not a minimum amount, the government has stipulated that they expect companies to negotiate the best possible rates for any apprenticeship training undertaken.
Is the upper limit the same as the cost of the apprenticeship?
The funding band upper limit is not the same thing as the price of the apprenticeship. Sometimes, the apprenticeship will cost more, and in these cases the company is expected to pay the difference. Companies are also able to try and negotiate a rate below the funding band.
How do I know how much funding my company can access?
The amount of government subsidy that an employer paying the levy will be able to access is linked to the value of an employer’s contributions, the proportion of employees working in England and a government top-up. Once employers have declared the levy to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) they will be able to access funding for apprenticeships through their account on the digital apprenticeship service.
The proportion your company is eligible to receive from the government will be available to view through the digital apprenticeship service. The calculation is run quarterly in July, October, January and April each year.
Funding Bands and Upper Limits
Find out which funding band your apprenticeship level is eligible for and then check the table below for the funding upper limit.
| Funding Band | Upper Limit |
| 1 | £1,500 |
| 2 | £2,000 |
| 3 | £2,500 |
| 4 | £3,000 |
| 5 | £3,500 |
| 6 | £4,000 |
| 7 | £4,500 |
| 8 | £5,000 |
| 9 | £6,000 |
| 10 | £7,000 |
| 11 | £8,000 |
| 12 | £9,000 |
| 13 | £10,000 |
| 14 | £11,000 |
| 15 | £12,000 |
| 16 | £13,000 |
| 17 | £14,000 |
| 18 | £15,000 |
| 19 | £16,000 |
| 20 | £17,000 |
| 21 | £18,000 |
| 22 | £19,000 |
| 23 | £20,000 |
| 24 | £21,000 |
| 25 | £22,000 |
| 26 | £23,000 |
| 27 | £24,000 |
| 28 | £25,000 |
| 29 | £26,000 |
| 30 | £27,000 |
Find the Right Apprenticeship Training Course and the Right Provider for Your Business
Searching for the right apprenticeship course for your business can seem daunting. There are c.250 approved apprenticeship standards and c.2500 apprenticeship training providers. So how do you know which one is right for your business?
Read our step by step guide on how to:
- Find apprenticeship training
- Find an apprenticeship training provider
- Set up an apprenticeship within your business
Download our step-by-step apprenticeships guide now
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