funding

We have a direct contract with the Skills Funding Agency, which enables us to access guaranteed funding for substantial numbers of apprenticeship candidates each year.  Many providers do not have this advantage but have to depend on contract holders having spare capacity which they are prepared to subcontract.

Training for apprentices aged 16-18 is free: although there is no upper age limit, the government expects all training providers to collect an employer contribution for adult training.  However, the efficiencies which we make through the use of e-portfolios mean that we are able to keep this contribution to an absolute minimum.

We can also currently access some funding for qualifications outside an apprenticeship framwork, although these are targeted at learners with relatively low previous educational attainment.

Some local authorities have funding which enables them to support the cost of training for early years staff and playworkers.  The level of funding, and the priorities, vary from authority to authority.  While we do have contacts in many authorities, early years and playwork employers often have a direct relationship with the relevant workforce development staff and are in a better position to find out about what is available.

Funding rules, priorities and amounts are subject to frequent change and if you have

any questions we recommend that you contact us for the latest information.