Skill Up Somerset

Skill Up Somerset

Apprenticeship & Skills Advisory Service

Free | Impartial | Advice | Guidance​
Get in touch

Skill Up Somerset

Apprenticeship & Skills Advisory Service

Free | Impartial | Advice | Guidance​
Get in touch

Advice for Businesses

As an independent team of experts, Skill Up will be able to help you find the right skills solutions for your business.

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Advice for Individuals

Explore Apprenticeships, Supported Employment, and Upskilling

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Skills

Learn more about the different skills options available

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Skill Up

Update to Apprenticeship Funding


The recent UK Autumn Budget has introduced significant changes to apprenticeship funding that will impact organisations of all sizes. Please see key changes for employers below:

 
  • Apprentice minimum wage increases to £8 per hour from April 2026
  • Levy top-up funding reduces from 10% to 0%
  • Levy funds will expire after 12 months (currently 24 months)
  • Levy payer co-investment split changes to 75%/25% (currently 95%/5%)
  • Full funding will be available for apprentices aged under 25 for non-levy payers (currently available for those under 22)*.


Apart from the minimum wage increase, these changes will take effect from August 2026. 


For further information, advice or guidance, contact our team of experts for free.

Contact Skill Up Somerset
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Employer-led Skills Bootcamps in Somerset and Dorset

Discover new opportunities for your business’s skills development through Employer-led Skills Bootcamps

Find out more
Skills for life logo

Employer-led Skills Bootcamps in Somerset and Dorset

Discover new opportunities for your business’s skills development through Employer-led Skills Bootcamps

Find out more

Why Contact Us

Independent

You can trust that we will always offer you impartial advice that's best for you because of our independence.

Ongoing advice

Our Apprenticeship and Skills Advisers can provide information for you or your business to help you understand the Apprenticeship and skills landscape.

Free

We are a non-profit organisation that provides free services to Somerset businesses and the community. Our services are always free of charge.

Everyone welcome

Whether you live in Somerset or your business is based here, we can assist you.
No question too big or small.

Free | Independent | Advice | Guidance

We offer free, impartial advice and guidance.

We want to support you with the challenges your business may face with recruitment and skills gaps, help you to progress in your career or even make those first steps in gaining or returning to employment.

 

 

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Committed to Somerset's Apprenticeship and Skills journey

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Free, impartial advice from our Apprenticeship and Skills advisors

Are you looking to improve your or your employee’s skills?

 

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What people say about us

Testimonial

Personalised service, good communication and walked me through each step . We now have an apprentice, I think we explored this avenue before but it was so straight forward

Sonia Waterman Faulkners Catering Consultancy

The advice was useful, and it means I have a person I can contact if I need more specific advice.

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Nina M-CNC Ltd

Skill Up Somerset have a wealth of knowledge and expertise for any business.

Mark Gillingham Matravers Engineering Ltd