There are plenty of funding opportunities available in Wales – it’s all about finding the right one for your team.
Apprenticeship funding gives you the opportunity to hire fresh talent or upskill your current workforce. We’ve helped countless companies around Wales to apply for funding and bring skilled people on board.
How can apprenticeship funding benefit employers?
Apprenticeships in Wales are fully-funded by the Welsh Government which means you don’t have to pay for the training programme. All of our apprenticeship programmes are of a high standard, upheld by our Quality team. Read more about the benefits for employers here.
“We don’t just focus on what we’re teaching, but how we’re teaching it,” says Quality Director, Sarah Elston.
“Not everybody learns in the same way, so our Training Advisors work with employers and learners to work out the best way to deliver the apprenticeship.
The best thing about it is that employers benefit from a training programme that’s tailored to their needs, without having to pay out large sums of money. It means that everybody is able to access training, no matter how big their training budget.”
What does the apprenticeship funding cover?
The apprenticeship funding, provided by Welsh Government, will cover all the costs of the registration, delivery and certification of all qualifications within the apprenticeship framework.
Where exams are included in the delivery, there may be a limit to the number of resits that can be funded, and this will vary across the different apprenticeship routes and levels.
Our team of Account Managers will be able to provide more specific guidance on this in your discussions.
How do learners benefit from apprenticeships?
Learners are able to pick up new skills or enhance their existing knowledge on an apprenticeship programme. Read more benefits for apprentices here.
Surrounded by supportive colleagues who can help them every step of the way, learners also feel more confident in their abilities. In our latest Learner Voice survey, 99% of our learners agreed that they’re developing the skills they need to help them do well at work.
Apprenticeships have the potential to help people forge a new career path, or progress in their current role.
Listen to ILM apprentice Jamie talk about his experiences on the course and how he used his leadership skills in the desert on SAS: Who Dares Wins:
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Minimum wage legislation applies equally to apprentices as it does to all other employees however, there is a lower band named “Apprenticeship Minimum Wage”.
Full details can be found at https://www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-rates.
Yes. Eligibility restrictions will sometimes apply to existing employees, and this varies across the different apprenticeship routes and levels. These restrictions vary from year to year, in line with Welsh Government priorities and our Account Managers will be able to provide all the information you need around eligibility to ensure you make informed decisions.
Eligibility restrictions for existing employees generally apply to factors such as duration of employment or time employed in their current role, but you will often find that these restrictions are eased if the individual is aged between 16 and 24.
No. The following aspects of our service are free-of-charge with the aim of giving you the best support possible:
- Initial planning, guidance, and advice
- Advertising
- Recruitment
- Selection*
- Enrolment and access to funding
- Delivery of qualifications within the apprenticeship framework
- Quality assurance and monitoring
- Certification
- Advice and guidance on progression opportunities or further learning opportunities
*Due to the costs incurred, a cost recovery charge will be payable if you choose to use psychometric/aptitude testing as part of the recruitment process.
Apprenticeship employers are required to meet all employment related costs. These might include:
- Salary, bonuses and commission
- National insurance
- Pension contributions
- Employment related expenses
Employers will also need to pay for training courses and qualifications which do not form part of the apprenticeship framework. Once an individual is on an apprenticeship, they will generally be ineligible for other routes of Welsh Government funding, so we’ll help you to plan for this and consider all your options at the outset.
TSW’s teams are with you every step of the way, from your initial planning stages through to the progression of your apprentices onto higher level programmes and courses.
We will advise on the pros and cons of the various options available to you, ensuring that a well-informed decision is always made.
We can also advise on wider staff development, commercially sourced training courses (and funding for these courses), wider staff development, sourcing of training courses and everything in between. If you have any questions about staff development or apprenticeships, then speak to your Account Manager in the first instance.
Yes. Apprentices can progress to higher level Apprenticeship programmes in the same or different occupational route, providing their role meets the on-the-job requirements of the qualification and sufficient opportunities can be provided to allow them to succeed.