Hire an apprentice

We're passionate about apprenticeships. Taking on an apprentice can bring new talent to your workplace. It can also upskill your staff.

That's why we offer expert advice and support to Kent employers. We are here to guide you through the process from start to finish. We want to make it easier for you to recruit the right apprentice for your business.

Speak to our experts to:

• find out more about apprenticeships and how your business could benefit
• get help with working out what apprenticeship standard is right for your business
• get advice and help with recruiting apprentices
• find out what funding is available to your business for apprenticeships.

Interested in finding out more? Visit the Kent Choices website.

Apprenticeship levy funds

We are an apprenticeship levy payer and have been able to invest in high-quality training to develop our skilled workforce and recruit apprentices.

Government reforms mean we can transfer up to 50% of our apprenticeship levy funds to Kent employers. This is an opportunity for us to support employers to improve the knowledge and skills of the wider Kent workforce.

Since 2019, our levy has enabled 293 employees across Kent to access apprenticeship training. With further applications agreed. This is a significant investment in Kent employers and employees of which we are proud.

Who can get transferred levy funds

To get a transferred levy fund, employers can be:

• from Kent in our supply chain
• from Kent in voluntary, community and social enterprise sectors
• Kent schools that do not pay into the our apprenticeship levy
• levy or non-levy paying employers.

They must:

• be registered on the apprenticeship service (we can support you with this)
• have an agreement with the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA). This will be set up when you register on the apprenticeship service
• only use the funds for training and assessment for apprenticeship standards (frameworks not eligible)
• only use the funds for training and assessment of either new apprentices or existing employees undertaking apprenticeships.

Who cannot get transferred levy funds

We are not able to transfer funds:

• for apprenticeship training that has already started
• where the receiving employer is eligible for full government funding, as they have fewer than 50 employees and on the first day of their apprenticeship, the apprentice is:
  • 19 to 24 years old and has either an education, health and care (EHC) plan given by their local authority, or has been in the care of their local authority.

Criteria for bids

There is maximum benefit from the levy funds. Employers must show how the funding for the apprenticeship programme will contribute to our strategic outcomes.

Our strategic outcomes are our vision for improving lives by making sure every pound spent in Kent is delivering better outcomes for Kent’s:

• residents
• communities
• businesses

Our four key priorities are:

1. levelling up Kent
2. infrastructure for communities
3. environmental step change
4. new models for care and support.

Prioritisation of the bids will use the following criteria:

• Priority 1 - creating apprenticeship opportunities for disadvantaged groups living in Kent, for example:
  • care leavers
  • not in employment, education, or training (NEETs)
  • those with disabilities
  • long term unemployed.
• Priority 2 - wider social care provision
• Priority 3 - addressing skill shortages in Kent.

Apply for funds

Applications for levy transfer are now open. Complete our express of interest form to apply.

Apply now

Advice and support

For additional advice and support:

• download our flowchart about the Sharing the Levy process (PDF, 324.2 KB)
• visit the National Apprenticeship website
• visit the Apprenticeship Training website to read training standards

Contact the National Apprenticeship Helpdesk:

• email: nationalhelpdesk@apprenticeships.gov.uk
• call: 0800 015 0400 (8am to 10pm, 7 days a week).

Or, download and print our 'Sharing the Levy' flyer (PDF, 2.6 MB).