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.
Training support
Flexible by design
We build every programme around your business — not the other way around. Most employers use a blend of all three delivery methods.
How we deliver

Training that works
around real work

Apprentices dedicate at least 6 hours per week to off-the-job training and learning. We make sure those hours are worth it — and that they don't disrupt your business.

At our training centres
In-person masterclass sessions at our purpose-built facilities. Small groups, expert trainers, no distractions.
Online and remote learning
Live virtual sessions with expert tutors, plus digital resources — all accessible anywhere.
At your workplace
For larger employers, we bring training to you. On-site delivery embedded in your working environment.
Funding explained

The levy is your money.
Use it.

If your payroll is over £3m, you're already paying in. If not, the government covers 95% anyway. Either way, there's no good reason not to start.

Large employers (levy payers)
Payroll over £3m? Your levy pot covers up to 100% of training costs. Unused funds expire after 12 months — we help you put them to work before that happens.
Small and medium employers
Training can be completely free under certain conditions — otherwise the government covers 95% through co-investment. See below for details.
Levy transfers
Large employers can transfer up to 25% of their unused levy to SMEs in their supply chain. We help connect you to these transfers.
Karen Shaw, BrightPeak
Funding calculator
Estimate your investment for a BrightPeak apprenticeship

Indicative only. Contact us for a tailored funding breakdown.

Free training for small businesses

If you're a small or medium-sized employer, apprenticeship training can cost you nothing at all. Here's what the government offers and how we help you access it.

100% funded for under-24s
SMEs hiring apprentices aged 16–24 get 100% government-funded training. No co-investment, nothing to pay.
95% funded for all other ages
For apprentices aged 25+, the government covers 95% through co-investment. A £7,000 programme costs you just £350.
Levy transfer from large employers
Large employers can transfer unused levy funds to SMEs. We help you find and unlock these transfers so your training is fully covered.
Free recruitment through us
We advertise, screen and shortlist candidates on your behalf at no cost. Combine this with free training and you get a new team member without spending a penny on recruitment or development.
💡
What does this mean for you?
As an SME, you can bring in a fully-trained new team member — or upskill an existing one — with little or no cost. We handle the funding paperwork, contracts and compliance so you can focus on running your business.
Book a call →
Talk to us about your options → Use the levy calculator
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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