From August 2026, the UK Government will be introducing a range of employer incentives for organisations looking to recruit new staff or upskill existing teams through an apprenticeship programme. In this article we will discuss how your organisation can make the most of these benefits to secure a solid finance team.
What employer incentives are available?
In April the new Growth and Skills Levy came into effect, overhauling the existing apprenticeship system. The main aims of the changes are to close skills gaps and help young people enter the job force. To do this, the Department for Education (DfE) have introduced a number of incentives to encourage employers to utilise apprenticeships. These include:
- Youth hiring incentives: To encourage business to hire young people the DfE introduced a cash incentive of up to £3,000 is available for hiring young talent aged 16-24 (if on Universal Credit).
- SME support: Non-levy paying employers can receive a £2,000 incentive for recruiting new apprentices aged 16–24, starting October 2026, payable after 90 days of employment.
- Funding flexibility: Levy-paying employers (annual bill >£3m) can transfer up to 50% of their annual funds to other businesses, and the government provides a 10% top-up to account funds.
- National Insurance exemption: The updated levy framework reiterated that employers are not required to pay National Insurance Contributions (NICs) for apprentices under 25.
- SME funding: Smaller organisations (non-levy payers) benefit from 95% of training costs of apprenticeships being covered by the government.
How apprenticeships support financial teams
Investing in apprenticeships to recruit new financial talent can bring valuable benefits to employers, helping to build a skilled and efficient finance team while supporting business growth. This apprenticeship allows businesses to train staff in finance and accounting processes while shaping them to fit the company’s needs.
Apprentices learn practical skills directly relevant to your business, such as financial administration, data entry, and basic bookkeeping. The training is customised to align with your organisation’s processes, helping apprentices become productive, efficient members of your finance team.
By supporting staff through apprenticeships, businesses can develop future finance professionals who are loyal to the company and understand its culture and operations, reducing staff turnover and future recruitment costs.
LMP Education finance apprenticeships
LMP Education offer three levels of finance apprenticeships, ideal for recruiting new talent and upskill existing team members, all including an AAT certification:
Accounts or Finance Assistant Apprenticeship Level 2
This Level 2 AAT Accounts of Finance Apprenticeship is an ideal junior position for organisations to recruit for. It is ideal for those who assist with financial tasks or undertake junior accounting duties.
Learn more about the Level 2 Finance apprenticeship
Assistant Accountant Apprenticeship Level 3
This Level 3 AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) Assistant Accountant training programme delivers a solid foundation in finance administration, covering areas such as double entry bookkeeping and basic costing principles.
The training modules focus on complex accounting disciplines including financial processes, advanced bookkeeping, final accounts and ethical practices for accountants.
Learn more about the Level 3 Finance apprenticeship
Professional Accounting Technician Apprenticeship Level 4
Investing in a Level 4 Professional Accounting Technician Apprenticeship is a strategic move for businesses looking to strengthen their finance team with highly skilled professionals. This apprenticeship provides advanced accounting knowledge and practical expertise, helping employers build a more efficient and compliant financial operation.
Learn more about the Level 4 Finance apprenticeship
LMP Education funded recruitment services
LMP Education is an award-winning apprenticeship provider that offers a range of Growth and Skills levy support for organisations across a variety of sectors. Alongside our levy utilisation strategy support that we offer, we can also support your organisation through recruitment services helping you find the right candidate for your position. All our services are fully funded and at no cost to your organisation.
To learn more about how we can support your organisation, book a free consultation with the LMP team today!
Book a free consultation
