# Welsh Government apprenticeships and training funding
This guide shows how apprenticeships and training money work in Wales, how they differ from the English setup, and what that means for a small construction outfit trying to take someone on. If you're used to hearing about ESFA and English standards, Wales runs on a different track, but you can still tap CITB grants and Welsh Government funding if you know where to look.
Quick rule of thumb: in Wales, apprenticeships are funded and controlled by Welsh Government/Medr and Qualifications Wales, but your CITB levy and grants work the same as in England: you just have to plug into both systems.
1. Who runs what in Wales
You've basically got three moving parts:
- Welsh Government / Medr: Welsh Government funds the apprenticeship programme. Medr (the new Commission for Tertiary Education and Research) is the funder and regulator for apprenticeships from level 2 up. You do not deal with the English ESFA, Wales has its own programme and its own funding model.
- Qualifications Wales · the Welsh regulator for qualifications, separate from Ofqual in England. It signs off Welsh apprenticeship frameworks, construction qualifications and the new level 2/3 pathways.
- CITB · still runs the Levy and grants UK-wide (including Wales) under Industrial Training legislation. CITB collects levy from Welsh construction employers and pays the same basic grant rates into Welsh firms as it does into English ones · the levy rate and thresholds are UK-wide.
So: apprenticeship money and framework design are Welsh-run, but CITB levy/grant is still a UK pot with the same rules for Wales.
Tip for new starters Think "Welsh Government + Medr + Qualifications Wales" for the apprenticeship itself, and "CITB" as a separate stream that helps cover training costs on top.
2. Welsh apprenticeship frameworks vs English standards
England moved to apprenticeship standards backed by the ESFA. Wales still uses Welsh apprenticeship frameworks, although it's updating them.
Key differences
Framework vs standards:
- Wales uses apprenticeship frameworks · documents setting out the qualification, on- and off-the-job requirements and any additional bits (essential skills, etc.).
- England uses standards, designed by employer groups, with end-point assessment · different style and funding rules.
Levels and pathways:
- Since 2022, Wales pushed construction apprenticeships to start at Level 3. Then in 2026, new Level 2 construction pathways were announced (bricklaying, site carpentry, scaffolding and building maintenance) to plug the gap.
- These Level 2 pathways form part of a foundation construction apprenticeship framework, designed in partnership with CITB and employers.
Welsh flavour:
- Frameworks have to fit Welsh policy · for example, new vocational strategy, green skills focus, and the Curriculum for Wales.
- A new Welsh Apprenticeship Programme is being built for 2027 onwards, with principles like all-age access and Level 2–6 coverage, specifically aligned to Wales' skills priorities.
What it means for you: your apprentice in Wales follows a Wales-specific route, even if the NVQ/qualification looks similar to the English one. Funding flows from Welsh Government via Medr to the training provider, not through the ESFA, but from your side the process still looks like "sign up with college/training provider, they sort the funding".
Tip for new starters Don't go looking for an "English standard code" for a Welsh apprentice, ask the college which Welsh construction framework/pathway they're on and check it leads to the NVQ level you want.
3. Qualifications Wales vs Ofqual, who owns the cards
Qualifications Wales is the regulator in Wales, the equivalent of Ofqual but focused on Welsh learners.
- It recognises awarding bodies and approves qualifications used in Welsh apprenticeship frameworks · including construction NVQs and diplomas.
- It works with Welsh Government and Medr to make sure new construction frameworks (including the new Level 2 pathways) actually fit what employers need and line up with the future skills agenda.
In practice:
- If your apprentice is going through a Welsh route, Qualifications Wales is the body making sure the qualification is legit. CSCS etc. then recognise the qualification in the usual way.
- If you bring in someone who started in England, you need to make sure their English qualification transfers properly into the Welsh system if they want to complete in Wales.
Tip for new starters If you're ever unsure whether a Welsh qualification "counts", check the awarding body against Qualifications Wales, if it's on their radar, you're safe.
4. CITB levy and grants in Wales, same rates, Welsh twist
The CITB Levy covers England, Scotland and Wales.
The 2026 Levy Order keeps the levy rates the same across the UK:
| Element | 2026 rate |
|---|---|
| PAYE payroll | 0.35% |
| Net CIS payments | 1.25% |
If you're a Welsh construction employer over the threshold, you pay levy on the same terms as an English firm.
On grants:
- CITB's own updates show the levy rate and thresholds remain unchanged, but they've tweaked grant distribution · for example, NVQ achievement grants moving to a flat £600 and some changes to short-course grants.
- Apprenticeship grants continue at existing rates and are not cut back in the 2026 reforms · that applies equally to Welsh and English employers.
So someone registered in Wales gets the same CITB grant rates as in England for:
- Apprenticeship attendance and achievement grants (per year/per completion).
- NVQ achievement grants (flat £600 from the new model).
- Short-course grants for things like plant and scaffolding.
The twist is that CITB is also involved directly in Welsh construction apprenticeship framework work, leading a partnership to maintain high standards, foundation qualifications and progression routes.
Tip for new starters If you're paying levy in Wales, you're entitled to the same grant menu as an English firm, use it, don't leave money on the table just because you're over the bridge.
5. Welsh-medium training and Skills Cymru
Welsh-medium and bilingual training
Welsh Government's Cymraeg 2050 strategy aims for a million Welsh speakers, and that filters into apprenticeships.
- Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol works with colleges and training providers to create Welsh-medium and bilingual routes, including for construction.
- For your apprentice, that can mean some units or off-the-job teaching delivered in Welsh, the option to do assessments in Welsh, and extra support if they want to use Welsh on site and in paperwork.
- It won't change your CITB grant, but it can make you more attractive to public-sector clients in Wales who care about Welsh language standards.
Skills Cymru
Skills Cymru is a big careers and skills event brand in Wales, think of it as a large careers fair with heavy construction presence.
- Construction employers, CITB and colleges use Skills Cymru events (for example, Cardiff's Motorpoint Arena) to promote construction apprenticeships and sign up interested school leavers.
- You'll often see CITB simulators, big developers, and trades offering work experience and explaining how to get onto apprenticeships.
- It's more about recruitment than funding, but if you want to attract local apprentices, having a stand or linking with providers at Skills Cymru makes sense.
Tip for new starters If you want good local recruits, talk to your regional college and see what they're doing at Skills Cymru, get your logo or a presence there instead of moaning that "no young 'uns want to graft".
6. Accessing apprenticeship funding in Wales, step by step
You don't apply to ESFA. The route in Wales is:
Step 1, Pick a trade and level
- For entry-level, look at the new Level 2 construction pathways (bricklaying, site carpentry, scaffolding, building maintenance).
- For more advanced roles, Level 3 frameworks (and beyond) are still the main route.
Step 2, Use Careers Wales / providers
- Careers Wales gives a central view of apprenticeship vacancies and routes, and can link your potential apprentice with suitable providers.
- Local FE colleges and training providers in Wales access money from Welsh Government via Medr · they claim the funding, not you.
Step 3, Sign an apprenticeship agreement
- You take the apprentice on as an employee.
- The provider draws down Welsh Government apprenticeship funding for the tuition and assessment.
Step 4, Claim CITB support on top
- If you're in scope for CITB, register and use their Levy and grants system to claim apprenticeship grants and NVQ completion payments.
The cash picture for you as an employer
- Wages: you pay (at least National Minimum / Apprentice rate), though some Welsh Government programmes offer training allowances and mentoring support.
- Training/college fees: covered by Welsh Government apprenticeship funding, not billed straight to you for standard apprenticeships.
- Extra help: CITB grants, plus any specific Welsh skills funds your provider can tap.
Tip for new starters Your main job is to hire the apprentice and pick a decent Welsh provider, they'll sort funding from Welsh Government, and you focus on claiming CITB grants and giving proper on-site training.
What to do next
- Ring CITB and confirm whether you're in scope for the levy, then set up a grants account so you can claim apprenticeship and NVQ grant money for Welsh apprentices.
- Talk to Careers Wales and your local FE college or training provider about which Welsh construction frameworks and new Level 2 pathways they're offering, and how apprenticeship funding will work for your firm.
- If Welsh language matters in your patch, contact Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol and ask what Welsh-medium or bilingual construction routes exist · it's a selling point with public-sector and Welsh-speaking clients.
- If you're thinking of taking on more than one apprentice, look at shared schemes like Cyfle Building Skills in south-west Wales · they can host apprentices across several employers and handle a lot of the admin.
Sources
- Welsh Government and Medr announcements · new Level 2 construction apprenticeship pathways and changes to the apprenticeship framework.
- Medr consultation summary · new Welsh Apprenticeship Programme from August 2027, all-age, Level 2–6 principles.
- Qualifications Wales Act 2015 · legislation.gov.uk/anaw/2015/5/contents · establishes Qualifications Wales as the independent regulator.
- Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 · legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2009/22/contents · legislative base for apprenticeships; delivery devolved to Welsh Ministers.
- CITB Industrial Training Levy · 0.35% PAYE, 1.25% Net CIS for 2025/26 cycle, unchanged thresholds, continued apprenticeship grants and flat NVQ grants.
- Coleg Cymraeg and Cymraeg 2050 materials · Welsh and bilingual apprenticeships.
- Skills Cymru · construction employer recruitment at events.
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