Employer-funded qualifications are training courses paid for by an employer or supported by the government to help people gain new skills and recognised qualifications. They make it easier and more affordable for businesses to train staff and for learners to progress in their careers. It helps businesses train their staff at lower costs while giving learners the skills and qualifications they need to progress in their careers. Focus Awards has a range of employer-funded qualifications to help centres and employers deliver recognised training that supports workforce development while making learning more accessible and affordable.
In this blog we summarise the details around funded qualifications including what government funding schemes are available, eligibility of funded qualifications, how employers can benefits for them and what role Focus Awards has in supporting these qualifications.
What Are Employer Funded Qualifications?
Employer funded qualifications are training courses and vocational qualifications that are paid for — fully or partly — by an employer, the government, or a combination of both. The aim is to help businesses upskill their workforce and give learners access to nationally recognised qualifications that support their career development.
In the UK, there are several government-backed schemes that help employers fund training. These include the Adult Skills Fund (formerly the Adult Education Budget), the Apprenticeship Levy, Skills Bootcamps, Free Courses for Jobs, and Advanced Learner Loans. Each scheme has different eligibility rules, and not all qualifications are approved under every scheme.
For employers, funded qualifications can reduce the cost to your business of training new staff and upskilling existing employees. For learners, they provide access to free or low-cost training that would otherwise be difficult to afford.
What Government Funding Schemes Are Available?
Here is a summary of the main employer and government funding options currently available in England:
| Funding Scheme | Who It Is For | What It Covers |
| Adult Skills Fund (ASF) | Adults aged 19+ who are unemployed or earning below the threshold | Fully funded Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications from the approved qualifications list |
| Free Courses for Jobs | Adults aged 19+ without a Level 3 qualification, or those aged 19–23 without a Level 2 | A list of qualifications at Level 3 (and some Level 2) that are fully funded by the government |
| Apprenticeship Levy | Employers with a wage bill over £3 million per year | Funds apprenticeship training and end-point assessment through a levy account held with the ESFA |
| Skills Bootcamps | Adults aged 19+ in work, self-employed, or recently unemployed | Free, flexible training courses of up to 16 weeks focused on specific sector skills including digital skills |
| Advanced Learner Loans | Learners aged 19+ studying Level 3 to Level 6 qualifications | Government-backed loan that covers course fees, repaid only when earnings exceed the threshold |
| Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) | Adults seeking qualifications at Level 4 and Level 5 | Government-approved qualifications (HTQs) at higher technical level, aligned to employer needs |
Funding availability can change each academic year and varies depending on your location, age, and employment status. Always check with a training provider or the National Careers Service to confirm current entitlement.
Who Is Eligible for Employer Funded Qualifications?
Eligibility for employer funded qualifications depends on the specific scheme. Here are the key rules for the most common funding options:
- Adult Skills Fund: Available to adults aged 19 and over. Fully funded courses are usually available to those who are unemployed, have no Level 2 qualification, or are earning below the national living wage threshold. Learners aged 19 to 23 without a Level 2 qualification are also eligible for fully funded Level 2 training.
- Free Courses for Jobs: Available to adults aged 19+ who do not already hold a Level 3 qualification. Also available to adults aged 19 to 23 who do not hold a Level 2 qualification. The Department for Education publishes the approved list of qualifications available under this scheme each year.
- Apprenticeships: Available to learners of any age who are in a paid job role with an employer. Apprenticeships are available at Level 2 through to degree level. Employers with a levy account use it to fund apprenticeship costs; smaller employers pay a small contribution with the government covering the rest.
- Skills Bootcamps: Open to adults aged 19 and over who are in work, self-employed, or recently unemployed. Employers can also refer employees. Skills Bootcamps are available in sectors such as digital, engineering, health, and construction.
- Advanced Learner Loans: Available to learners aged 19 and over studying a qualification at Level 3, 4, 5, or 6 with an approved training provider. Advanced learner loans are available from the government and work in a similar way to student loans — repayable only when earnings exceed the threshold.
Government funded courses for over 25s and government funded courses for over 40s are typically available through the Adult Skills Fund and Free Courses for Jobs scheme. Age is not generally a barrier as long as the other eligibility criteria are met.
What Qualifications Are Eligible for Funding?
Not every qualification qualifies for government or employer funding. Funded qualifications must appear on the Department for Education’s approved qualifications list, and they must be offered by a recognised awarding organisation regulated by Ofqual.
Focus Awards is an Ofqual-regulated awarding organisation. Many of our qualifications are eligible for funding through the Adult Skills Fund and other government schemes. Our regulated qualifications span a wide range of sectors and are nationally recognised across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Examples of the types of vocational qualifications that are commonly included on funded lists include:
- Health and Social Care qualifications — including care diplomas, mental health awards, and supporting adult care
- Business Administration and Customer Service — including Level 2 and Level 3 diplomas in business admin and customer service
- Teaching and Education qualifications — including assessor awards, IQA qualifications, and education and training programmes
- Sports and Fitness qualifications — including gym instruction, personal training, and coaching qualifications
- Child Development and Childcare — including early years educator diplomas and playwork qualifications
- Preparation for Work qualifications — including employability skills at Level 1 and Level 2, ideal for unemployed learners entering the workforce
You can browse our full portfolio of qualifications to see which programmes may be available with funding support through an approved training provider.
Are NVQs Funded? And What About Level 3 Qualifications?
Yes — NVQs and other vocational qualifications at Level 2 and Level 3 are commonly funded through the Adult Skills Fund and the Free Courses for Jobs scheme. These are among the most popular types of employer funded qualifications because they assess real workplace competence and lead to a nationally recognised award.
Under the Free Courses for Jobs scheme, adults who do not already hold a full Level 3 qualification can access a Level 3 qualification for free. This is a significant entitlement — a Level 3 qualification is equivalent to two A-levels and is often the minimum requirement for supervisory roles, further study, or progression in sectors like health and social care, childcare, or business.
Focus Awards offers a wide range of Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications that are delivered by approved training providers across the UK. Read more about how funded qualifications work for your career and the Advanced Learner Loans that are available for Level 3 and above.
How Can Employers Use Funded Qualifications to Upskill Their Workforce?
For businesses, employer funded qualifications are one of the most cost-effective ways to invest in staff development. Here are the main routes available to employers:
- Apprenticeship Levy: Employers with an annual wage bill over £3 million pay into the Apprenticeship Levy. This money sits in a digital account and can be used to fund apprenticeship training for new and existing employees. Smaller employers who do not pay the levy can access government co-investment, where the government pays 95% of training costs and the employer pays just 5%.
- Skills Bootcamps: Employers can refer employees to Skills Bootcamps or work directly with local training providers to develop programmes tailored to their business needs. The government funds most of the cost, with a small employer contribution.
- Adult Skills Fund: Training providers can use Adult Skills Fund (ASF) allocations — previously called the Adult Education Budget (AEB) — to offer free training courses to eligible learners. Employers can signpost their staff to these free courses available through local training providers.
- Bespoke Qualification Development: Focus Awards also supports employers who want a tailor-made qualification built around their specific workforce requirements. Find out more about our bespoke qualification development service.
If you are an employer looking to find training and employment schemes for your staff, the National Careers Service and our Funding page are good starting points to explore what is currently available.
How Does Focus Awards Support Funded Qualifications?
Focus Awards works with approved training centres across the UK to deliver funded qualifications in a wide range of sectors. Our qualifications are built to meet National Occupational Standards, assessed through rigorous quality assurance processes, and designed to give learners the practical skills and knowledge they need for real job roles.
If you are a training provider looking to deliver employer funded qualifications, becoming a Focus Awards approved centre gives you access to our full portfolio of regulated qualifications — many of which are eligible for government funding schemes.
- Become a Focus Awards approved centre
- Read our guidance on funding options
- Explore our portfolio of qualifications
- Find out about Advanced Learner Loans
- Learn about funded qualifications for your career
Employer funded qualifications give learners and businesses access to high-quality, nationally recognised training without carrying the full cost. Whether you are an employer investing in your workforce, a learner looking for free courses for jobs, or a training provider wanting to deliver funded programmes, Focus Awards has the qualifications, the support, and the expertise to help.
To find out more, visit our contact page or explore our Centre Support Hub for guidance on funding, registration, and qualification delivery.
You can explore our full range of qualifications on our website at https://focusawards.org.uk/qualification/ or contact us directly at info@focusawards.org.uk or on 0333 3447 388.
