Funding
Who pays for electrician training in the UK.
Four government routes fund electrical qualifications, plus one loan that defers the cost rather than removing it. Below is who qualifies for each, what it covers and what it does not. Checked 30 July 2026 — rules change at the start of the academic year on 1 August.
Funded apprenticeship
- Who qualifies
- Aged 16–24, working for an employer that does not pay the apprenticeship levy
- What it pays
- From 1 August 2026 the government funds 100% of training and assessment, up to the funding band maximum. The employer pays nothing.
- What it does not cover
- You need an employer before you can start. That is the real bottleneck, not the funding — we help place you.
Free Courses for Jobs
- Who qualifies
- Adults earning under £25,750 a year who do not already hold a full Level 3
- What it pays
- Full Level 3 tuition, paid by the government. Not a loan.
- What it does not cover
- It covers tuition, not tools, exam re-sits or scheme registration. Course availability varies by provider.
First Level 3, aged 19–23
- Who qualifies
- Aged 19–23 and this would be your first full Level 3 qualification
- What it pays
- Free tuition at an FE college.
- What it does not cover
- FE colleges only, and it is a one-time entitlement — it does not apply to a second Level 3.
Skills Bootcamp
- Who qualifies
- Adults, where one is running in your region
- What it pays
- Free, 12–16 weeks, funded by the Department for Education.
- What it does not cover
- Availability for electrical is patchy — many regions run none, and places fill fast. A bootcamp rarely covers the full qualification on its own.
Advanced Learner Loan
a loan, not a grant- Who qualifies
- Aged 19 or over, studying Level 3 or above at an approved provider
- What it pays
- Covers the course fee.
- What it does not cover
- This is a loan, not a grant. It defers the cost and carries interest — you repay it. We list it last on purpose.
Six questions will tell you which one is yours.
We will tell you honestly, including when the answer is that nothing funds your route.
Find my funded route