Understanding the Cost tab in a Skills Scan for an Apprenticeship
Jacob
Last Update a year ago
The Cost tab of a Skills Scan gives Training Providers a clear financial picture of delivering an apprenticeship to a specific learner or learning candidate. It enables you to:
Assess whether the apprenticeship is financially viable.
Understand the impact of Recogised Prior Learning (RPL) on funding.
Review the cost per unit based on delivery hours.
View and manage any Employer Contributions, where required.
By using the Cost tab, you can make confident, data-informed decisions about whether to proceed with delivery and how to price the apprenticeship in line with ESFA funding rules.
Note: Only users with a Training Provider Admin account can access the Cost tab for a Skills Scan.
When and Why to use the Costs tab
Once you’ve completed the Skills Scan scoring across Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviours, the Cost tab provides the funding and cost breakdown. This helps ensure:
The delivery price is calculated correctly
Employer contributions (if applicable) are clearly scheduled
The program meets your organisation’s minimum and maximum RPL thresholds (see Set the Minimum and Maximum RPL thresholds for your Organisation)
Cost Breakdown Section
This section includes:
Eligible Costs: These are added to each Apprenticeship Course (see Add Eligible Costs to an Apprenticeship Course) and represent the costs of delivering the program regardless of the RPL (so things like carrying out the initial assessment, on program monitoring, etc) rather than the content.
Unit Costs: Based on delivery hours assigned to each unit of the Apprenticeship Course.
Tip: If RPL results in a reduction to the Total Funding Value, the Eligible Costs are protected. The reduction will only apply to the Units to match the new Delivery Price.
You can also add Additional Costs if required - for example, if delivering specialist content or incurring extra expenses not already accounted for.
Fees Section
This section shows a clear breakdown of how funding and contributions are calculated. The table below explains each field and how it is used:
| Field | Description |
| Agreed (Negotiated) Price | Defaults to the funding band maximum but can be amended (e.g. for bulk discounts). |
| End Point Assessment | As specified for the Apprenticeship Course. |
| RPL% | The percentage of Recognised Prior Learning identified for the Learner from the Skills Scan. |
| Delivery Price (less RPL Applied) | Calculated as: (Agreed Price − 50% of RPL%) - End Point Assessment Cost |
| Total Funding Value | Delivery Price (less RPL Applied) + End Point Assessment. |
| Levy Payer? | Tick this if the Employer is a Levy Payer. If selected, no Employer Contribution is due. |
| Age of Learner | Applies only if Levy Payer? is not selected. If the Learner meets any of the following criteria, no Employer Contribution is due:
|
| Total Employer Contribution | If due, calculated as 5% of the Total Funding Value + any Additional Costs. |
Agreed Employer Contributions Section
If an employer is required to pay a 5% contribution, you can schedule these payments here:
- Number of Payments - Split the total into as many instalments as required.
- Date of First Payment - Choose the start date for contributions. Subsequent payments will be scheduled monthly by default, but you can adjust these dates as needed.
Summary
By reviewing and using the Cost tab effectively, you can:
- Confirm the financial viability of delivering an Apprenticeship
- Ensure your pricing reflects any RPL reductions
- Clearly manage and schedule employer contributions
- Stay compliant with funding rules
This tool gives you everything you need to make transparent, accurate delivery decisions - saving time and protecting your income.