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UCAN Employer Guidance: Using Levy Transfer Funding through the Digital Apprenticeship Service

Purpose of this Guide

This guide is for employers who are using, or applying to use, apprenticeship levy transfer funding through the Digital Apprenticeship Service (DAS).

It explains:

  • What levy transfer funding is
  • The difference between applying for transfer opportunities and accepting a transfer from a known organisation
  • What the employer needs to do in DAS
  • What UCAN can and cannot do on the employer’s behalf
  • Common levy transfer issues and how to avoid them
Important: Some DAS screens may change over time and wording may vary slightly between accounts. The key point is that the apprenticeship must be linked to transfer funding before the apprentice record is finally approved.

What is Levy Transfer Funding?

A levy transfer is where a levy-paying organisation agrees to use some of its apprenticeship levy funds to pay for apprenticeship training and assessment for another employer.

The receiving employer does not receive the money directly. The funding is managed through DAS and is paid against the apprenticeship training and assessment costs.

Transferred funds can only be used to pay for apprenticeship training and assessment, up to the funding band maximum for the apprenticeship standard.

Transfer funding cannot be used for:
  • Wages
  • Recruitment costs
  • Equipment
  • Travel
  • Supervision
  • Management time
  • Any other employment costs

Transfer funding is for new apprenticeship starts only. This can be a new employee or an existing employee starting a new apprenticeship programme.

Before You Start

Before using transfer funding, please make sure:

  • Your DAS account has been created
  • Your organisation has been added to DAS
  • Your PAYE scheme has been linked
  • The employer agreement with the Department for Education has been accepted
  • UCAN Progress Ltd has been added as your training provider
  • You know which apprenticeship standard the learner will complete
  • You know the planned start date
  • You know whether you are applying for transfer funding or accepting funding from a specific organisation

Provider name: UCAN Progress Ltd

UKPRN: 10001786

If you have not yet created your DAS account or added UCAN Progress Ltd as your training provider, please complete those steps first using UCAN’s separate DAS Guide.

The Two Levy Transfer Routes

Employers normally access levy transfer funding in one of two ways.

Use this route if:
You do not already have a named levy-paying organisation funding the apprenticeship.
Quick Steps
1Log into DAS

Access your employer DAS account.

2Go to Finance > Transfers

Select Apply for transfer opportunities.

3Submit Application

Apply for a suitable transfer opportunity through DAS.

4Wait for Approval

Track progress under View applications I’ve submitted.

5Add Apprentice

Add the apprentice record once transfer funding is confirmed.

6Select Transfer Funding

Choose the transfer funding option during setup.

Important: Do not reserve standard government funding if the apprenticeship is being funded through a levy transfer.

Use this route if:
A specific levy-paying organisation has already agreed to fund the apprenticeship.
Quick Steps
1Find Your DAS Account ID

Send your 6-character DAS Account ID to UCAN and the levy-paying employer.

2Wait for Request

The levy-paying employer sends a transfer connection request.

3Go to Finance > Transfers

Open the pending transfer connection request.

4Approve Connection

Approve the transfer connection request in DAS.

5Add Apprentice

Add the apprentice record to DAS.

6Select Transfer Funding

Ensure the funding route shows transfer funding.

Important: The apprenticeship is not fully funded until the sending employer approves the apprenticeship details and costs in their DAS account.
Before Approving the Apprentice Record
  • Check apprentice details are correct
  • Confirm UCAN Progress Ltd is the provider
  • Confirm training costs are correct
  • Ensure funding route shows transfer funding

Employer Permissions for UCAN

You should choose to give UCAN permission to create apprentice records on your behalf.

This will reduce the amount of administration you need to complete in DAS.

Important: Even where UCAN creates the apprentice record, you must still review and approve it in your own DAS account.

Common Levy Transfer Issues

Check Finance > Transfers and confirm the sending employer used your correct 6-character DAS Account ID.

This option is for public transfer funding applications. If you already have a funding organisation, use the direct transfer connection route instead.

Do not approve the record if the funding route is incorrect. Contact UCAN before proceeding.

Final Checklist Before Training Starts

  • Your DAS account is active
  • The employer agreement with the Department for Education has been accepted
  • UCAN Progress Ltd has been added as your training provider
  • The transfer application or transfer connection has been accepted
  • The apprentice has been added
  • The funding route shows transfer funding
  • UCAN has approved the apprentice record
  • You have approved the apprentice record as the employer
  • The sending employer has approved the apprenticeship details and cost
  • The apprentice record is fully approved in DAS

When to Contact UCAN

Contact UCAN before approving the apprentice record if:

  • You are unsure which funding option to select
  • You cannot find the transfer connection request
  • DAS is asking you to reserve funding
  • The apprentice record does not show transfer funding
  • The apprenticeship standard, start date, cost or provider details look incorrect
  • The sending employer says they have approved the transfer but this is not showing in your account
It is better to check before approving the record than to correct the funding route later.