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Degree Apprenticeships

Apprenticeship Levy Explained

On 6th April 2017, the UK Government introduced the Apprenticeship Levy, a 0.5% tax on all organisations with a PAYE bill over £3m per annum. Organisations affected by the tax make monthly payments into a digital account where their money sits as credits. These credits expire after 24 months but are earmarked to pay for training courses for new and existing members of staff. For smaller employers who do not attract the Apprenticeship Levy, the cost of course fees is shared between government (90%) and employers (10%).

Eligible training courses are labelled “Apprenticeship Standards.” These documents outline occupational specific knowledge, skills and behaviours akin to a job description. 540 Apprenticeship Standards have been published ranging from level 2 (GCSE equivalent) right the way up to Level 7 (Masters).

As a Russell Group Higher Education Provider, Queen Mary University of London only delivers Degree Apprenticeships at Levels 6 & 7 (Undergraduate and Postgraduate Level). 117 Degree Apprenticeships have been approved/ are currently in-development.

 

10% Levy Transfer

From May 2018 employers who pay the apprenticeship levy will be able to fund apprenticeships in one other organisation through a transfer. Employers can transfer a maximum of 10% of annual funds. This is worked out from the total amount of levy declared, with the English % applied, plus the 10% government top-up payment.

These funds will be used to pay for the training and assessment cost of the apprenticeships agreed with the receiving employer and will be paid monthly for the duration of the apprenticeship.

Only levy-paying employers can make a transfer. Any employer can receive and use transferred funds, but they have to be registered on the apprenticeship service.

Further information can be found here. If you are a Levy paying organisation interested in supporting SME's employ apprentices please contact us: degreeapprenticeships@qmul.ac.uk.

 

Key Links:

Estimate your annual Apprenticeship Levy contributions: 

https://estimate-my-apprenticeship-funding.sfa.bis.gov.uk/

Register your Digital Apprenticeship Account:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/manage-apprenticeship-funds

Guidance on how to pay the Apprenticeship Levy:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pay-apprenticeship-levy

List of approved training providers:

https://findapprenticeshiptraining.sfa.bis.gov.uk/

List of apprenticeship standards approved and in development:

https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/

 

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