Financial help with apprenticeships

The London Borough of Waltham Forest is making funding available for employers to invest in apprenticeships, unlocking opportunities for residents and businesses.

Through the Apprenticeship Levy Transfer we are providing financial support for employers to develop their workforce through approved apprenticeships. The Levy Transfer supports the training requirements for your apprentices – which can be either existing employees or someone new to your organisation. 

By leveraging Levy Transfers, employers can achieve substantial cost savings, as the transferred funds cover the training and assessment expenses associated with an apprentice. 

Any business located within the London Borough of Waltham Forest can apply for our Levy Transfer. We will also consider applications from businesses located outside of the borough, provided the appointed apprentice is a resident of Waltham Forest.

All employers must:

• Meet the requirements of the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) for transfer – as per the levy transfer checklist, 
• Have signed the ESFA Agreement, 
• Have completed the LBWF application form and agreed to our terms and conditions.

Support and guidance is available throughout the process.  

When engaging with the Council for a Levy Transfer, we aim to provide you with a holistic approach to support you with your apprenticeship requirements including guidance in the recruitment of new apprentices. 

Our team are here to provide information, advice, and guidance throughout this process. This can include everything from and initial informal chat, through to sourcing a training provider and helping to assess your skills gaps to identify the best options for your organisation. 

Apprentices can be either existing employees or someone new to your organisation. Tackling unemployment within the Borough is a priority and we will prioritise employers looking to recruit new apprentices. 

Levy transfer is not an unlimited resource, and the Council is mindful of this. Therefore, we aim to ensure the levy makes the greatest impact in the Borough in terms of, supporting our growth sectors, supporting the development of skills required in the Borough and supporting people into employment or continuing with their professional development. 

When you are making an application, please ensure that you are demonstrating why your apprenticeship will contribute to these areas.

You may only use the transferred funds for apprenticeship training and assessment. Funds can’t be used for:

• Wages
• Statutory licenses to practice
• Travel and subsidiary costs
• Managerial costs
• Traineeships
• Work placement programmes
• The costs of setting up an apprenticeship programme
• Additional units, diplomas or certificates not built into the standard apprenticeship
• Memberships
• Resits/Retakes of End Point Assessments 

First of all, just get in touch for an informal chat to tell us that you’re interested and how you intend to use the levy transfer.

If you wish to apply for our Levy Transfer, you will need to request a Levy Transfer Application form.  Once you have completed your application form, your Levy Transfer application must be returned to us for review.

All submitted application forms will be reviewed and feedback will be provided as to whether you are eligible for the transfer. If so, we will ask you to complete an apprenticeship Levy transfer agreement.

To request an application, or to arrange an initial informal chat, please email apprenticeships@walthamforest.gov.uk

Below you’ll see the ‘small print’ and we’ll be very happy to walk you through this and what it means for you during our early conversations:

• You can only use the transferred funds for apprenticeship training and assessment.
• Transferred funds can only be used for apprenticeship standards.
• A transfer can fund up to the funding band maximum of a standard. If the cost of training is more, you will have to pay the difference to the training provider.
• You will need to create an account on the apprenticeship service to receive the transfer and pay for apprenticeship training. To register go to GOV.UK: How to register and use the apprenticeship service as an employer.
• You will need to sign a legally binding agreement with the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA). For more information view the GOV.UK information on ESFA Apprenticeship Agreement for Employers.
• If the apprenticeship stops then the funding will stop. You will not have to pay any funds back to London Borough of Waltham Forest. Any allocation of our levy put aside to pay for your apprenticeship will not be returned to London Borough of Waltham Forest. It is therefore imperative you understand and are ready to fulfil your commitments to take on an apprentice prior to applying for Levy Transfer.
• If London Borough of Waltham Forest runs out of levy money during your apprenticeship, you must make the relevant employer co-investment contribution. Refer to the 'Paying for an apprenticeship' section of the funding rules for information on the rate that needs to be paid. London Borough of Waltham Forest will however endeavour to forecast accurately to ensure it is able to fund your apprenticeship training for the duration of the apprenticeship.
• For more information on levy transfer, view the GOV.UK information on receiving a levy transfer from another business to fund an apprenticeship.

• Information on apprenticeships 
• What is the apprenticeship levy?
• What type of apprenticeships are available?

Are you are a large levy paying employer interested in Transferring your apprenticeship levy to another business?