Upskill Shropshire Transfer of apprenticeship funding

The current window for Apprenticeship Levy Transfer will be open between 1 April 2026 and 30 December 2026 where there will be a review of available funds. 

Apply for Apprenticeship Funding transfer

The Growth and Skills Levy (previously Apprenticeship Levy) is giving employers like us a real opportunity to invest in high-quality apprenticeship training, helping to grow our business and develop the skilled workforce we need to thrive and succeed. The Government enables employers who pay into the Growth and Skills Levy to work in partnership with other employers, supporting them in accessing Apprenticeship

Funding to invest in their workforce, hiring new apprentices or developing the skills of existing employees.

As a levy-paying employer with an ambitious apprentice strategy, we can now transfer up to 50% of our unspent Apprenticeship Levy funds from the previous financial year to other employers, helping to increase the number of high-quality apprenticeships across the county.

Who can apply to receive transferred funds?

We're able to transfer levy funds to other employers for apprenticeships for either new recruits or existing employees wanting to develop their skills by undertaking an apprenticeship. We're not able to transfer funds for apprenticeships which have already started. 

To express an interest and submit your application for consideration in the transfer of Apprenticeship Levy funding you must be:

• Based in the Local Authority area of Shropshire
  
• A Small to Medium Enterprise/Business
  
• A supply chain partner to Shropshire Council whose business serves local residents in Shropshire. 
  
• A voluntary, community or social enterprise sector organisation providing services to Shropshire residents

We're expecting a high level of demand for support and our transfer funds are limited. Therefore, in developing a process for determining who to support, priority will be given to applications that meet our priorities and target sectors detailed below.

How do I apply for the funds?

The transfer application process will be open every year as of 1 April and will close in December of the same year.

If you have applied for funds, from the date you have approved you will have 6 weeks to accept the funds “in principle” and then 3 months from the initial in principle date to commit the funds to actual apprenticeship start on programme; if you have not used the funds in this period, your application is then invalid and you will need to reapply. 

We suggest only submitting an application when you are actually ready to recruit to an apprenticeship position or have apprentices ready to start.

Detailed guidance can be found on transferring unused apprenticeship funds to other employers on the GOV.UK website. Please read this guidance before you apply for the funding (see section 197 onward of the funding rules).

Application window for Apprenticeship Levy transfer applications 2026/27

Applications for Apprenticeship Levy transfer for 2026/27 will close on Thursday 31 December 2026.

Received applications will be reviewed within a maximum of four weeks of confirmation of receipt and subsequently, the outcome will be communicated to applicants.

On notification of a successful application, employers will then have three months to utilise the Levy Funds. Applications must be submitted to apprenticeshiplevy@shropshire.gov.uk. 

If you have any more questions or would like further information, please email us at apprenticeshiplevy@shropshire.gov.uk or telephone 01743 258521.

Case studies

Upskill Shropshire have been running the Apprenticeship Funding Transfer Scheme since 2020 and have supported over 40 people in Shropshire to access Apprenticeship Training across various programmes and levels.  We are currently supporting 38 apprentices on programme and endeavour to support more through this scheme. 

Download our case studies to read more about apprentices we’ve supported and the benefits the training has had for their career.