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National Apprenticeship Week 2026 - 9th - 15th February 2026 

Celebrate National Apprenticeship Week (NAW2026) with Blackburn College’s Apprenticeship Recruitment Service. This week is a national moment to showcase how apprenticeships and workplace training create opportunities for individuals and businesses across sectors.

Why employ an apprentice?

  • Futureproof your workforce - Bring in motivated talent trained to your business standards. 

  • Improve retention - Apprentices who grow within your business are more likely to stay. 

  • Cost-effective recruitment - Wages for apprentices are competitively priced and supported by funding in many cases. 

  • Fresh perspectives & innovation - New apprentices often bring up-to-date skills and a fresh viewpoint. 

  • Strengthen your local community - Apprenticeships support local employment and skills development. 

 

Upskill your existing staff 

  • Use apprenticeships for upskilling - Existing employees can undertake apprenticeship standards to gain nationally recognised qualifications while working. 

  • Boost morale & engagement - Investing in staff development increases job satisfaction and performance. 

  • Flexible delivery - Off-the-job training, blended learning and workplace assessment fit around business needs. 

 

Apprenticeship funding - what’s available 

  • Government incentives & funding - There are grants, levy transfers, and co-investment schemes to reduce employer costs. 

  • Levy-paying employers - can transfer unused levy funds to support partner organisations. 

  • Small employers - often receive enhanced government support for apprenticeship training and assessment. 

 

If you’re unsure which funding route fits your business, our team can guide you through the options and eligibility. 

 

Apprenticeship Funding - 2025/26 Guidance & Financial Incentives 

The funding and incentive landscape has recently been updated. Here’s a breakdown of how you - as an employer - can benefit under the 2025/26 rules. 

 

How training and assessments are funded

Employer Type Employer Contribution  Government Covers
Non-levy paying employers (typically small/medium businesses)  Usually 5% of training & assessment costs 95% up to the funding-band maximum

Non-levy employer hiring an apprentice aged 16–21 (or 22–24 with EHC plan / care-leaver status) - for starts from 1 August 2025 

From Aug 26 - hiring an apprentice aged 16–24 

 0% (i.e. fully funded) 100% of training & assessment costs  
Levy-paying employers  Use funds from apprenticeship service account 

Once funds are used this with be 95% up to the funding-band maximum  

75% of the apprenticeship fee from Aug 26

 

Training cost funding is capped per apprenticeship by a “funding band,” which for 2025/26 ranges broadly (from around £1,500 up to £27,000 depending on the standard).  

Additionally, for apprentices aged 16 - 18 (or 19 - 24 with an EHC plan / care-leaver), the government fully covers training costs even for many non-levy employers. The recent budget (November 25) set by the government stated that this would soon include up to 24-year-old without EHC plans to support young people into work. 

 

Extra payments & support 

  • £1,000 employer incentive payment: If you recruit an eligible young apprentice - either aged 16 - 18, or 19 - 25 with an EHC plan / care-leaver status - you receive £1,000, paid in two instalments. 

  • £3,000 employer grant: is your businesses based in Lancashire?  If so, you may be eligible for a further grant through the Lancashire County Council if you recruit an eligible young apprentice. Apply Here 

  • CITB Grants: you may be eligible for a further grants if you are a CITB member and enrol an apprentice onto an eligible apprenticeship standard, more information here. 

  • English, maths (up to Level 2), learning support, and other additional support payments: These are fully funded by government (not charged to employer or levy account), where required.  

  • Savings on Employer National Insurance (NI) contributions: If hiring an apprentice under 25, many employers benefit from exemption or relief on employer NICs - reducing total cost of employment.  

  • Employ an apprentice with Blackburn College: once on programme you will be eligible for a 10% discount on commercial courses and access to events held within the ICZ. 

 

Levy transfer / levy funds re-use 

  • If you are a levy-paying employer with unused levy funds, you can use those funds to pay for apprenticeships and training (including for existing staff). Government adds a 10% top-up (Stops Aug 26). 

  • Levy-paying employers can also transfer up to 50% of their apprenticeship funds to other businesses (e.g. partner employers, supply-chain SMEs, charities) - opening opportunities for smaller employers who struggle to afford training costs.  

 

Ready to get started? 

  1. Talk to our team - We’ll assess your staffing needs and advise on suitable apprenticeship standards. 

  1. Plan a role - Define the job, training outcomes and on-the-job mentor. 

  1. Check funding & grants - We’ll help you determine levy, co-investment, or incentive eligibility under 2025/26 rules. 

  1. Recruit or upskill - Post the vacancy, shortlist candidates, and get training scheduled. 

 

Contact Us 

Blackburn College - Commercial and Business Development Team 

  • Phone: 01254 292500