If I were to leave my apprenticeship, how much would I pay back?

What Happens If an Apprentice Leaves Early? A Guide for Employers and Apprentices

In the UK, apprenticeships are governed by strict funding rules to ensure fairness and transparency for both apprentices and employers. One common area of concern is what happens if an apprentice leaves their programme early—especially within the first 13 weeks.

1. Apprentices Are Not Required to Repay Training Costs

Apprentices must not be asked to repay any training or assessment costs, regardless of when they leave the programme. This is a fundamental rule of the UK apprenticeship system. Even if they leave early, apprentices are not financially liable for any part of the training.

1. Employer Responsibility for Early Leavers (Within 13 Weeks)

If an apprentice leaves within the first 13 weeks of their apprenticeship, the employer is responsible for the cost of any materials that have been ordered or used during that time. This may include items such as uniforms, textbooks, or specialist tools.

1. Levy-Paying Employers and Co-Investment Contributions

For levy-paying employers, there may be occasions when their apprenticeship levy account does not have sufficient funds to cover the full cost of training. In these cases, the employer enters a co-investment arrangement with the government.

• Under co-investment, the employer must contribute 5% of the total funding cost for all apprentices over the age of 21.
• If an apprentice leaves early and the levy account is insufficient, the employer is still required to pay any outstanding 5% co-investment for training delivered up to the point of withdrawal.

1. Summary of Employer Obligations