Apprenticeship levy transfers

Apprenticeship training funding

West Sussex County Council supports local businesses in building skilled, future-ready teams.

As a large employer that pays the apprenticeship levy, we can transfer part of our levy funds to help cover training costs for apprentices working at other organisations in West Sussex.

If you're an employer in West Sussex, you could use this funding to:

• train current staff or hire new talent
• access high-quality, government-approved apprenticeship programmes
• build a stronger workforce and support the local economy

Who can apply for transferred apprenticeship funds?

If you're an employer whose main business location is in West Sussex, you might qualify for apprenticeship levy funding from West Sussex County Council.

We can transfer funds to cover up to 100% of the training and assessment costs for new apprentices, up to the maximum allowed by the funding band, for the full length of the apprenticeship.

If an apprentice changes employers, the funding can move with them so they can continue their training without any breaks.

Find full eligibility details and guidance on GOV.UK.

Priorities for funding

We review applications in the order we receive them.

As a general rule, we’ll approve funding for up to three apprenticeships per employer at a time. This depends on how much funding is available, so we can’t guarantee approval. We may prioritise applications.

We welcome applications from:

• schools in West Sussex
• small and medium sized businesses in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields, including in the ‘creative digital’ sector in West Sussex
• key sector priority organisations such as hospitality, tourism and manufacturing in West Sussex  
• small and medium sized enterprises in West Sussex
• health and social care organisations, including care homes in West Sussex
• community and voluntary organisations in West Sussex
• 'green' sector industries
• any organisations that support or help advance the county council’s priorities and interests

West Sussex County Council reserves the right to reject applications that are not consistent with our core values.

Applying for levy transfer funding

Before starting your application, you should:

• be aware of the rules for employers receiving a levy transfer - you can find this in the apprenticeship funding rules document, under the section on Delivery models: Apprenticeships funded by transfers of levy funds on GOV.UK
• have an apprenticeship service account
• know which apprenticeship your apprentice(s) will be doing - see the Institute for apprenticeships website
• have an expected training start date in mind - we recommend within the next 4 months
• have a chosen apprenticeship training provider
• consider how many apprentices you need funding for

There are 2 ways you can apply for apprenticeship levy transfer funding. These are:

Option 1: Apply using the government’s online form

See GOV.UK's page to find a business to fund training for your apprentices. This form will also show whether West Sussex County Council still has funding available for the current financial year.

Option 2: Apply through your Apprenticeship Service Account:

Follow these steps:

1. log in to your Apprenticeship Service account
2. in the home page under Finances select 'Your Transfers' to the Manage Transfers page
3. select ‘Apply for transfer opportunities’
4. search for West Sussex County Council and other employers offering funding on the GOV.UK transfer opportunities page

On our funding opportunity page, we’ve only listed the larger towns and cities. You can apply wherever you're based in West Sussex, just choose your nearest town or select ‘another location’. Don’t select more than three options.

After you apply:

• you can track your application in your Apprenticeship Service account under Finance > Manage Transfers
• we aim to review your application within 15 working days
• you’ll receive an email once we have accepted or declined your application

If we accept your application you must:

• accept the funding offer within 6 weeks
• withdraw your application if you no longer need the funding

Once you accept the funding you should:

• set up the apprenticeship with your chosen training provider
• be sure to select the ‘funded by transfer’ option
• complete this step within 3 months (before the offer expires)

If your apprentice leaves or pauses their training, let us know by emailing levytransfers@westsussex.gov.uk.

Supporting document

• FAQs for apprenticeship levy transfer applications (PDF, 117KB)