Apply for funding from our apprenticeship levy

As an employer, Durham County Council pays into the apprenticeship levy and uses the funds to finance new apprenticeships in the council. Government rules also allow us to transfer some of our levy funds to other employers, to support them to fund apprenticeships to improve the skills and knowledge of the local workforce through apprenticeships.

Qualifying employers can use this funding either for new apprentices or for current employees who undertake a new apprenticeship. Funds can be used towards training and assessment to meet apprenticeship standards. Funds cannot be used for apprentices that have already started their apprenticeship.

Who can apply for funding

To apply for funding from our apprenticeship levy, employers must:

• Be registered on the apprenticeship service and have an account - for further information go to Gov.uk: How to register and use the apprenticeship service as an employer
• Have a signed agreement with the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA)
• Be based within County Durham, or be a partnership organisation, or be supporting the council's supply chain

For further information please see our Apprenticeship Levy Transfer Policy (PDF, 227 KB). 

If you need help with registering for the apprenticeship service, or advice and support to start an apprenticeship, contact the National Apprenticeship Helpdesk.

How to apply for funding / an apprenticeship levy transfer

Employers interested in making an application for a levy transfer should access the government's apprenticeship service Gov.uk: Find a business to fund apprenticeship training and search for Durham County Council. As the council continuously reviews its capacity to offer apprenticeship levy transfers, if Durham County Council is not currently listed on the 'Find a business to fund apprenticeship training' web page, no transfer funds are currently available. 

If funds are available, an employer interested in making an application for a levy transfer will need to:

• know which apprenticeship standard their apprentice will be undertaking
• know how many apprentices they need funding for
• know the location of where the apprentice will be working from
• know the apprentice expected start date

Employers will then submit an application to the council via the 'create a transfer' online application form; this will be considered by the council and the employer will be notified of the decision via their apprenticeship service account.

If you need to discuss your application, please contact the HR and Employee Services team on 03000 267 250.