Fuelling the future: £1m Apprenticeship Talent Fund

Opening doors for future ready teams.

Read the press release Apply for funding here

Virgin Media O2 is unlocking up to £1 million in funding to help small businesses, charities, social enterprises, and local authorities recruit and train the next wave of apprentices — creating real career opportunities that power long-term growth.

We’re backing bold ideas and untapped talent, with a focus on getting more women into STEM and supporting people from global majority backgrounds. It’s about driving innovation by opening up the industry to those ready to make a difference.

This is more than a giveaway — it’s an investment in the future.

Why we’re launching the £1m talent fund

More than 3 million SMEs* say hiring apprentices is simply not financially viable right now, with 35% citing cost pressure, 30% complexity of training programmes and over 800,000 (15%) saying insufficient levy funds are their key challenges.

With nearly four in five employers (79%) saying they would be more likely to hire apprentices if additional financial support was available, the scheme could unlock hundreds of retraining opportunities for young people and career-changers.

How to apply

1

Before setting up your apprenticeship service account you’ll need a GOV.UK One Login account linked to an email address you use for work.

2

Next you’ll need to create an account

3

Then add a PAYE scheme on behalf of your organisation

4

Accept the employer agreement with the Department for Education (DfE)

5

Finally, visit the portal to access Virgin Media’s pot and request the funds

About the Growth and Skills levy

Organisations with an annual wage bill over £3 million are required to pay an apprenticeship levy of 0.5%, which can be used to fund skills development initiatives such as apprenticeships. However, not all organisations are able to fully utilise their levy funds. That’s where levy transfer comes into play.

Since April 2024, new rules allow large employers to transfer up to 50% of their levy pot to smaller businesses, helping them access vital funding for upskilling. Virgin Media O2 is leading the way by committing up to £1 million to support training through levy transfers—boosting talent across the telecoms sector and empowering organisations to grow their capabilities.

How will it work?

If you’re a small business, charity, social enterprise or local authority looking for help when it comes to paying for learning and skills programmes, you’ve come to the right place. We’re providing up to £1m in funding for those who want to support women into STEM based roles and people from a global majority background.

If you’re interested in accessing funding, the first step is to register an account or sign into the Government portal. Once you’re registered and signed up you can request funds from Virgin Media’s pot.

How do I apply?

Follow the steps above and apply via the Government’s levy website.

Am I eligible?

If you’re a small business, charity, social enterprise or local authority that doesn’t already pay into the levy, this talent fund is for you. Organisations can apply for funding when hiring a woman or person from the global majority undertaking a STEM based apprenticeship.

 

What funding is available?

The funds are available to cover the cost of training an apprentice and can be drawn down from Virgin Media’s pot.

 

Do I need to already have an apprentice?

No, this is available for organisations wishing to hire new apprentices. Specifically, women into STEM based roles and people from a global majority background.

 

Does this cover the salary?

The funding is not available to cover the salary of an apprentice.

 

How do I set up a service account?

Steps on how to set up an account can be found on the Government’s website.

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