Apprenticeship Funding Incentive Update and Support
Additional government funding is now available, from October 1st to support non-levy employers looking to grow their team through apprenticeships.
This initiative forms part of the Government’s wider effort to expand the Youth Guarantee and create 50,000 more apprenticeships for young people across the UK.
New Non-Levy Hiring Grant (£2,000)
Starting from October 2026, non-levy-paying employers (Employers with a wage bill under 3 million annually) can claim a £2,000 hiring grant when recruiting an additional apprentice aged 16–24.
Key details of the grant:
- The apprenticeship training starts on or after Thursday 1 October 2026.
- The apprentice is starting a new apprenticeship programme and is aged 16-24
- The apprentice cannot have been employed for more than 90 days before the start date of their apprenticeship
For example:
Payments
This is paid to the training provider, where it then gets passed on to the employer:
- 90 days after the apprenticeship starts – £1,000
- One year after the apprenticeship starts – £1,000
Further funding support
With up to £6,000 available per apprentice, Skills4Pharmacy can support you with further government funding streams, including:
Young Apprentice Payment of £1,000
This is paid to the training provider, where it then gets passed onto the employer:
- 90 days after the apprenticeship starts – £500
- One year after the apprenticeship starts – £500
- Youth jobs grant of £3,000
This is paid directly to the employer (subject to DWP checks):
- After 6 weeks – £1,800
- After 18 weeks – £1,200
Through their complimentary recruitment service, Skills4Pharmacy makes hiring simple by sourcing, interviewing, and enrolling your next apprentice.
What to do next: contact Skills4Pharmacy on:
Email : info@skills4group.co.uk
Telephone : 0161 7940528
Or email:Rhiannon.wilder@skills4group.co.uk
Mobile: 07931 435944
