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Funding for employers

Apprentice talking to colleagues at train stationModern Apprenticeship funding

Skills Development Scotland (SDS) contributes to the costs of training and assessing Modern Apprentices.

In most cases we pay the learning provider you choose to deliver the apprenticeship. The level of our contribution depends on the:

  • age of the apprentice
  • qualification level
  • apprenticeship sector

We make enhanced funding contributions for those who are disabled and care-experienced, up to and including age 29.

If you have a direct contract with SDS we’ll pay our funding contribution straight to you. You may deliver the apprenticeship training or a learning provider could do this. You would pay the learning provider for their contribution to delivering the apprenticeship.

Learning providers may ask for an extra contribution to fund the apprenticeship. It's good to explore more than one option to find the best fit for your business.

More about Modern Apprenticeships

Find a learning provider for your apprenticeship

Apprentice talking in hallway of workplace

Graduate Apprenticeship funding

Graduate Apprentice learning costs are now funded by the Scottish Funding Council and Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS). Funding covers the full duration of the programme. Graduate Apprentices will apply directly to SAAS for the funding. 

We've produced this guide for employers about SAAS funding for Graduate Apprenticeships.  

If you need any further information, visit the SAAS website.

More about Graduate Apprenticeships

Foundation Apprenticeship funding 

If you take on Foundation Apprentices, there’s no cost to you as the apprentice is still at school.

More about Foundation Apprenticeships

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Additional funding incentives

Access to Work - This UK Government programme can help people to get or stay in work. It offers practical and financial support to:

  • disabled people
  • people with a long-term physical or mental health condition

The support depends on the individual's needs. Through Access to Work people can apply for:

  • a grant to help pay for practical support with work
  • support with managing their mental health at work
  • money to pay for communication support at job interviews

This could include equipment, software or taxis to and from work.

Employer Recruitment Incentives (ERI) - These incentives help people who find it harder to get a job. They are part of the Young Person's Guarantee and the No-One Left Behind policy. This funding is to offer employment, training, education or volunteering.

For further information about ERIs and other support, contact your local authority. Find details of your local authority contact on the Employability in Scotland website.

Adopt an Apprentice - This grant was paused at the start of the financial year 2023/24 and will not be available in 2023/24.

How much to pay apprentices

You pay your apprentice as normal for the job they’re doing. You must pay at least the National Minimum Wage and we encourage all employers to pay at least the Living Wage.

 
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Browse apprenticeship frameworks

Explore the frameworks, or types, of apprenticeships in Scotland. There's a wide range, from accountancy to youth work.

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Find a learning provider

Use our easy search to find a learning provider. They'll help you find apprentices, deal with funding for training and provide support.

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More about employing apprentices

Find useful information about starting out as an apprentice employer.

Information for employers
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