Using Co-investment for a School

As school budgets continue to tighten, it's more important than ever to maximize every funding source available. One powerful but often overlooked option is co-investment for apprenticeship training.

The apprenticeship levy has been in place since 2017, requiring all employers with a payroll over £3 million to contribute 0.5% towards a national fund. However, studies show that hundreds of millions of pounds in levy funds remain unspent each year, with a significant portion being returned to the Treasury.

For schools that have exhausted their own levy pot, co-investment provides a way to keep accessing high-quality apprenticeship programs without footing the full bill. Here's how it works:

Understanding Co-Investment

When your school's apprenticeship levy funds have been depleted, you can continue enrolling staff in apprenticeship training through the co-investment model. In this scenario, the government covers 95% of the training costs, while your school pays the remaining 5%.

This 95/5 funding split applies regardless of the apprenticeship standard or level. So whether you're looking to upskill existing leaders, develop new teachers, or build capabilities in your business support teams, the co-investment option is available.

The process is straightforward - you simply continue signing staff up to the apprenticeship programs that align with your strategic priorities, and the levy-funding contribution is automatically applied. There's no additional paperwork or bureaucracy to navigate.

Strategic Considerations

To make the most of co-investment, it's important to take a thoughtful, strategic approach. Start by reviewing your existing workforce and identifying the core capabilities you need to develop, both in teaching and non-teaching roles.

This could involve expanding your leadership pipeline, upskilling your inclusion specialists, or building commercial acumen in your finance team. Map these development needs to the relevant apprenticeship standards, considering factors like duration, delivery model, and learner suitability.

It's also worth considering how co-investment can support your talent attraction and retention efforts. Many candidates, especially recent graduates, are actively seeking employers who can offer apprenticeship opportunities. Leveraging co-investment to provide these programs can give you a competitive edge in the job market.

Finally, look for ways to integrate apprenticeships into your wider professional development strategy. Co-investment shouldn't be viewed in isolation, but as part of a holistic approach to building the skills and capabilities your school needs to thrive.

Implementation Essentials

Once you've identified your priorities, the practical implementation of co-investment is relatively straightforward. The first step is to find an approved apprenticeship training provider who can guide you through the process.

Look for a provider with extensive experience working with schools, as they'll understand the unique context and challenges you face. They can help you navigate the available standards, match them to your needs, and manage the ongoing administration.

Be sure to communicate the co-investment opportunity clearly to your staff. Many may be unaware that apprenticeships are now open to existing employees, not just new hires. Positioning these programs as valuable professional development, rather than entry-level training, will be key to driving engagement.

It's also important to ensure you have the internal capacity to support learners through their apprenticeships. This includes providing them with the required 20% off-the-job training time, as well as regular coaching and mentoring. Your training provider should be able to advise on best practices for this.

Finally, track your outcomes carefully. Co-investment represents a significant opportunity, but you'll want to ensure it's delivering a tangible return on investment for your school. Monitor metrics like completion rates, learner satisfaction, and the impact on school performance.

The Transformative Potential of Co-Investment

For schools looking to upskill their workforce and build long-term capabilities, co-investment through the apprenticeship levy is a game-changing opportunity. By covering 95% of the training costs, it allows you to access high-quality, bespoke development programs without straining your budget.

Better still, this funding is available across a wide range of apprenticeship standards - from leadership and management to teaching, finance, and beyond. With the right strategic approach and implementation, co-investment can be a powerful lever for transforming your school's capabilities and, ultimately, student outcomes.