The Government will fully fund apprenticeships in small businesses by paying the full cost of training for anyone up to the age of 21. These payments are made directly to the apprenticeship training provider and the End Point Assessment Organisation. 

For small businesses (defined as those with fewer than 50 employees), the government provides funding to cover the cost of apprenticeship training and assessment. For apprentices aged 16 to 18, the government provides 100% of the training and assessment costs. For apprentices aged 19 or over, the employer can access to the government’s co-investment fund.

Small businesses can also access additional funding and support through the apprenticeship levy transfer system. This system allows large businesses with unspent apprenticeship levy funds to transfer up to 50% of their funds to other employers to help cover the costs of apprenticeship training and assessment.