The government has published proposals for a new funding model for apprenticeships and further details on the apprenticeship levy. The funding will support people of all ages to gain high-quality skills and experience and help employers to offer more training opportunities and build a skilled workforce.

Under the plans for the levy, the government has proposed that employers that are too small to pay the levy - around 98% of employers in England - will have 90% of the costs of training paid for by the government, reassuring millions of small businesses.

Extra support, worth £2,000 per trainee, will also be available for employers and training providers that take on 16- to 18-year-old apprentices or young care leavers. Employers with fewer than 50 employees will also have 100% of training costs paid for by government if they take on these apprentices.

For further information, click here

The government is inviting employers and training providers to have their say on the initial funding proposals, to ensure final plans fully meet the needs of all those involved in the apprenticeship programme.

This consultation will be open until 5th September.