The Free Employee Training That Most Business Owners Miss

If you're running a business, chances are you've heard of the Apprenticeship Levy, but like many business owners, you may have dismissed it as something that only applies to large corporations or school leavers learning a trade. But here’s the reality: this is one of the best-kept secrets in business funding—and if you're not using it, you're missing out on a game-changing opportunity to upskill your team for (almost) free.

What is the Apprenticeship Levy?

Introduced by the UK government, the Apprenticeship Levy is designed to encourage businesses to invest in training their employees. Large businesses with an annual payroll of over £3 million are required to contribute 0.5% of their payroll into the levy. They can then use this money to fund training and apprenticeships for their workforce.

But here’s the part that most small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) don’t realise:

Even if you don’t contribute to the levy, you can still access the funding! The government pays 95% of the training costs, leaving you to fund just 5%!

That means high-level training worth tens of thousands of pounds is available for a fraction of the cost—if you know where to look.

It’s Not Just for School Leavers

When you hear the word “apprenticeship,” you might imagine a teenager in overalls learning a trade. But today, apprenticeships cover a huge range of professional skills, from management and finance to marketing, data analysis, and leadership training.

Training is available from GCSE level (Level 2) right up to Master’s degree level (Level 7), including qualifications like:

✔ Chartered Accountancy (ACCA, CIMA, ICAEW)✔ Leadership & Management Diplomas✔ Marketing & Digital Strategy Certifications✔ Software Development & AI Training✔ Project Management (including PRINCE2 & Agile)✔ And many more!

How Much Can You Save?

Let’s put this into perspective:

A Chartered Accountancy qualification typically costs around £50,000. Under the Apprenticeship Levy scheme, your business only pays £2,500—while the government funds the remaining 95%.

Leadership & management courses that normally cost £5,000-£10,000 can be accessed for just a few hundred pounds.

This is as close to free training as you’ll ever get—fully funded by the government and large corporations that pay into the levy.

How to Access Apprenticeship Funding for Your Business

The best part? It’s incredibly easy to apply.

1️⃣ Find a Training Provider – Use the gov.uk apprenticeship search tool or speak to accredited training providers in your industry. For finance and accounting, providers like BPP and Kaplan offer some of the best programs.

2️⃣ Create a Digital Apprenticeship Service (DAS) Account – This is where you’ll access and manage funding. It takes just a few minutes to set up.

3️⃣ Choose Your Training & Apply – Once you’ve found the right course, your training provider will guide you through the process. They want your business, so they’ll make it as easy as possible!

4️⃣ Enrol Your Employees (or Yourself!) – You can enrol current employees or hire new staff through the apprenticeship program. Even company directors can apply!

Why Aren’t More Businesses Using This?

Simple: Most business owners don’t know it exists. The government hasn’t exactly shouted about it, and training providers often fail to market it effectively.

But if you’re serious about business growth, employee development, and driving profit, then you need to be taking full advantage of this scheme.

💡 Think about it: You’re probably already investing in staff training. Why not get 95% of it paid for?

Final Thought: Don’t Miss Out

If you’re looking for ways to upskill your team, strengthen your management accounts, improve profit & loss visibility, and enhance cash flow, this is the smartest investment you can make.

A proactive accountant or finance director will always be looking for ways to improve business efficiency and drive profit—and this is one of the easiest wins out there.

📢 Don’t let free money go to waste. Check if your business is eligible today