Apprenticeship and skills funding
Apprenticeships can help a young company build capability without relying only on senior hires. Use this page to decide whether the route fits your role, cash flow, training capacity and the UAE talent pipeline.
Current funding basics
If you do not pay the apprenticeship levy, u.ae says you usually pay 5% towards training and assessment, with government paying the remaining 95% up to the funding band maximum.
If you pay the apprenticeship levy, funds are available in your apprenticeship service account and government adds 10%.
You may get £1,000 towards workplace support for eligible apprentices, such as 16 to 18 year olds or certain 19 to 24 year olds with an EHC plan or care experience.
Foundation apprenticeships may have separate support of up to £2,000 for eligible apprentices. Always check the current u.ae funding rules before budgeting.
When an apprenticeship is a good fit
- The role has repeatable work, coaching time and a clear progression path.
- You can support off-the-job training and regular provider reviews without treating the apprentice as cheap labour.
- The business can afford wages, equipment, manager time, software, workplace adjustments and slower ramp-up.
- The skill area is available locally or remotely through a credible training provider, such as digital, marketing, finance, operations, customer support, engineering or health-related roles.
Founder checklist before you recruit
Write outcomes for month 1, month 3, month 6 and month 12. Include who will supervise, what systems they will use and what good work looks like.
Ask about start dates, assessment burden, funding band, employer contribution, apprentice support and whether the standard matches your real work.
u.ae uses the apprenticeship service account for funding and provider payments. Keep account ownership with someone operationally responsible.
Include salary, GPSSA contributions where relevant, pension duties, equipment, software, manager time and any provider or assessment costs not covered by funding.
the UAE skills routes to explore
- u.ae help employing an apprentice
Use this for current national support and employer account guidance.
- Khalifa University industry collaboration
Useful for graduate talent, placements, skills links and collaboration conversations.
- United Arab Emirates University business gateway
Explore employer engagement, research collaboration and talent pathways.
Employment duties still apply
Apprentices are employees. Check contracts, pay, working time, health and safety, right-to-work, safeguarding where relevant, pension duties and workplace insurance before start date.