Your funding reservations

Smaller employers that do not pay the apprenticeship levy can reserve apprenticeship funding for training and assessment in their apprenticeship service account. 

How it works

The funding will cover 95% of the cost of the apprenticeship (up to the funding band maximum), smaller employers will need to pay the remaining 5% directly to the training provider. The 95% funding is paid directly by the government to the training provider. This is also called ‘co-investment’.

There are some exemptions for co-investment in the apprenticeship funding rules. 

What you can reserve

From 3 April 2023 all non-levy employer reservation levels will no longer be limited to a maximum of 10 new apprenticeship starts – they will be able to recruit as many high-quality apprentices as their business needs.

The number of reservations for flexi-job apprenticeship agencies remains at 35.

To reserve funding, you will need to enter the apprenticeship start date and standard, you can amend the start date to the previous month if required. We will fund up to the funding band maximum, but you must negotiate the cost of the training and assessment with the training provider.

If you agree a training cost that is above the funding band maximum, your organisation will have to fund the additional cost.

You can change the apprenticeship start date and standard when you add the apprentice’s details, without losing the reservation.

Last updated on 04 December 2025 12:47