Apprenticeship levy transfer

It give us the chance to invest in high quality learning and development. This helps to recruit apprentices and develop existing employees for our future economy.

As a large levy-paying employer, we can transfer up to 25% of our apprenticeship levy funding to other employers. This supports other apprenticeship programmes and helps to further boost the number of high-quality apprenticeships in the borough.

Who can apply

We can transfer funds to employers for new apprentices and for apprenticeship qualifications which will develop existing employees. We are not able to transfer funds for apprenticeship qualifications that have already started.

We want to see levy transfers generate apprenticeship opportunities which:

• align with our Vision;
• support our objective to grow a sustainable economy;
• offer inclusive career pathways into employment.

At the same time, where we can, we will prioritise our levy transfer funds to address Calderdale's skill shortages.

Applications from these organisations have priority:

• Health and social care.
• Small and medium sized businesses in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields, which includes the 'Digital' sector.
• Key sector, such as hospitality/tourism and manufacturing.
• Community, third sector and voluntary.
• Early years and Calderdale non-levy paying schools.

Things to consider

Before you apply, employers must take into account that:

• You must have a specific presence in Calderdale, either located in or delivering services in the borough.
• Any apprentice must be employed for at least the duration that is required to complete their apprenticeship qualification.
• You must pay the apprentice's salary and costs, such as residentials or memberships (if these apply). The transfer of funds can only be used for the apprenticeship qualification costs.
• Funds can only be used to pay for apprenticeship standards. For more about this, please visit: Apprenticeship standards (IfA).
• The request must be for future apprenticeships. The request cannot be backdated on training that has already commenced.
• You must sign up to the apprenticeship service to get funding. To do this, visit: Manage apprenticeship funds (GOV.UK).
• You must sign an agreement with the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA). This ensures you adhere to the funding rules when your apprenticeship account is created.
• You must choose a training provider and agree the cost of the training. We do not have to stipulate who you use to deliver the apprenticeship qualification. However, choosing a learning provider is an important decision to make and we can support you if needed.

How to apply

Employers will need to complete our Levy Transfer Request Form.

• We may contact you to discuss your request further.
• We will let you know the outcome within two weeks.

Please note:

• Levy transfers can only be made against a named apprentice.
• Approval in principle will be granted until the apprentice has been recruited and the learning provider identified.

Approved applications

If approved, we will ask for your DAS Account (Digital Apprenticeship Service) PIN Number. This will allow us (as the transferring employer) to digitally connect with your company on the DAS.

Once connected, input the cohort (apprentice details, course, cost and duration) and ensure this is linked to the qualification provider. This helpful YouTube video explains how to do this.

The qualification provider will check the details. You will get a message from the DAS to say the companies are successfully linked up. Click 'yes' to complete.

At the start of each month, the funds will be transferred.

• They will proportionately be transferred from Calderdale Council's account to company accounts.
• They will then transferred from the company accounts to the training provider's account.

We are here to help

If you have any queries and need any help through the process, please email: levytransfer@calderdale.gov.uk.