Highfield   |   UK Funding For Qualifications

UK Funding For Qualifications

Highfield provides a wide selection of market leading qualifications and many of them can be fully funded by the UK Government. We understand that accessing UK funding for qualifications can be very confusing and sometimes a daunting task.

To support you as an employer, a learner or training provider we offer directories of our funded qualifications that you can access via funding resources section on this page. Below you will find independent information to help you understand the funding rules for the different types of funding available, and how to gain access if you are eligible.

AEB Funding

The National Adult Education Budget (AEB) is simply a funding stream introduced by the government to provide support when it comes to the delivery of education and training to those aged 19+. Its primary intention is to help individuals gain employment, enhance their prospects in their existing occupation or allow them to continue into further education. 

Training providers and colleges that have successfully won AEB contracts can allow learners to access this funding, making their training courses extremely attractive to learners, and allowing learners to enhance their personal development with reduced financial implications.

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Apprenticeship Funding

Apprenticeship funding is available in England to employers via the apprenticeship levy. This levy was introduced by the UK government in 2017 and requires organisations with a pay bill of £3 million or over to pay a 0.5% levy on their total annual pay bill. The revenue raised from this levy goes into the funding of apprenticeships. 

 Employers paying the levy can then access their levy funds to spend on any apprenticeship training they believe would benefit their business. The levy is also used to fund apprenticeship training courses for other employers looking to recruit apprentices. For instance, employers with a total annual pay bill of under £3 million are only required to pay 5% of the cost of their apprenticeship training, with the government funding the rest.

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Free Courses For Jobs

Free courses for jobs is a government-led initiative that offers free level 3 courses for anyone aged 19 or over, who does not already have a level 3 or above qualification. It can also be accessed by those that do possess a level 3 or higher qualification, if they are currently unemployed or earning below the national living wage of £20,319 (in some areas, there may be a slightly different low wage threshold). Level 3 qualifications are equivalent to an advanced technical certificate or diploma, or an A Level. 

The purpose of free courses for jobs is to reduce sector skills shortages, support individuals in enhancing their career prospects within their current industry and enable individuals to reskill within a new sector. Eligible courses are available in sectors such as health and social care, childcare and early years, hospitality and catering, accounting and finance, and construction.

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Sector Based Work Academies

Sector-based Work Academy Programmes are designed to help jobseekers, who are claiming either Universal Credit, Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), to build their confidence, improve their job prospects and enhance their CVs in order to find employment in different sectors of work. 

Run by Jobcentre Plus in partnership with training providers and employers, they are tailored to meet recruitment needs, including pre-employment training, a work experience placement, and a guarantee of a job interview for participants. A programme is expected to take up to 6 weeks to complete. If you are interested in offering a sector-based work academy, or would like further information about the services available to support your recruitment needs.

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UK Shared Prosperity Fund

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) is the government replacement for the ESIF, which expires in the UK in March 2023. This £2.6 billion fund (to be used by March 2025) will be spread across the entire UK and be invested in communities and place, support for local businesses and people and skills.

The Fund’s interventions will be planned and delivered by councils and mayoral authorities across England, Scotland and Wales – ‘lead local authorities’, working closely with local partners and the Scottish and Welsh governments.

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