Large organisations contribute to the Apprenticeship Levy, but many never use their entire training budget. Rather than losing these unused funds, they can transfer up to 50% of their annual levy pot to smaller businesses.
For SMEs, this creates a powerful opportunity, fully or partially funded Apprenticeship training at no additional cost.
Harnessing levy transfers can create ripple effects across your organisation:
Training can be expensive, but levy transfers allow SMEs to develop staff using funding that would otherwise go unused. This helps close skills gaps in essential areas such as digital, leadership, customer service, care, operations and more.
Instead of relying on external recruitment, which can take time to find the right employee, then additional time to train them, Apprenticeships will help you nurture your current talent from within. Employees gain nationally recognised qualifications while applying new knowledge directly back into the business.
Investing in people sends a clear message: “we value your development.”
Businesses that offer funded training often see higher retention, stronger engagement and a more motivated workforce.
SMEs at a growth point often find that their structures, processes or capabilities haven’t quite caught up. Apprenticeships which are funded through levy transfers help teams gain the skills needed to scale sustainably.
Whether your SME operates in care, retail, professional services or supply chain, there are Apprenticeships designed to meet every sector’s needs. Levy transfers ensure these programmes are accessible, even for micro-SMEs employers.
While the concept is simple, navigating the process can feel complex without the right support. That’s where training providers like Fareport come in. We work directly with SMEs to:
- Identify suitable apprenticeship programmes
- Match businesses with available levy transfer funds
- Guide them through the application and compliance process
- Support apprentices throughout their learning journey
Our goal is to make Levy transfers as smooth and beneficial as possible, allowing SMEs to focus on what really matters, growing their people and their business.
For many SMEs, levy transfers have been a turning point. They’ve enabled businesses to:
- Upskill managers stepping into leadership roles
- Boost digital capability across teams
- Develop new talent pipelines
- Improve productivity and overall business resilience
In a competitive market, the ability to grow skills at minimal cost is a major advantage.