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Supporting Information and Resources for Numark Discount Partner Members
Applications for the third phase of fully funded apprenticeship programmes, via the Numark and Buttercups collaboration, open on Wednesday 4 March at 12:00 (midday). In preparation for this, we have created the following resource and supporting information for Numark discount partner members.
What is Levy Gifting?
Large organisations are required to pay into a special fund called an apprenticeship levy fund, which can only be used to support apprenticeship programmes. Whilst many of these large organisations use these funds to train and upskill their own employees, up to 50% of their unused funds can be transferred, or gifted, to smaller organisations to fund their apprenticeship training.
In 2025, over £1.3million was committed specifically to support Numark discount partner members and provide fully funded apprenticeship training for them.
We are now launching the third phase of this campaign to support even more Numark members in 2026.
Employer Checklist
☑ Identify Candidate(s)
☑ Identify Workplace Training Supervisor(s) (WTS)
☑ Set up a Digital Apprenticeship Service (DAS) Account
Further information on each stage of the checklist can be found below.
Additional Information
Identifying Suitable Candidates
To identify suitable candidates, you will need to ensure they have suitable experience, and that they are likely to be eligible for a funded apprenticeship programme.
Suitability
Experienced dispensing assistants would be best placed to undertake the Level 3 Pharmacy Technician Training Programme Apprenticeship. Whilst there is no formal requirement to hold an accredited dispensing qualification, the following Buttercups Level 2 programmes provide important knowledge and skills as a foundation to build on in the pharmacy technician training:
- Pharmacy Services Assistant Apprenticeship
- Dispensing Assistant Course
- Healthcare Assistant Course
Eligibility
In order the access funding as a ‘levy gift’, candidates must be eligible for apprenticeship funding. Candidates aged under 21 at the time of enrolment can receive apprenticeship training which is fully funded by the Government and as such, a levy gift is not required. Candidates under 21 years old can be nominated directly using this online form.
For candidates aged 21 and over, the following apprenticeship eligibility criteria apply:
- Must have a right to work and abode in the UK and have been ordinarily resident in the UK for at least the previous three years. Additional eligibility rules apply to EEA nationals and non-UK nationals
- Must be aged 16 years old or above
- Must hold a contract of employment for a minimum of 21 hours a week
- Must work under the supervision of a pharmacist or pharmacy technician for the duration of the apprenticeship
- Must work alongside a pharmacy registrant for a minimum of 14 hours per week
- Must meet the pre-screening criteria in relation to: health and character, current ability and current level of maths, English and science knowledge
- Cannot be in full time education or enrolled onto another government funded programme
- Cannot hold an equivalent qualification at the same level
- Cannot hold a level 4 qualification or above, unless the qualification is "materially different" from the apprenticeship. Queries in relation to prior qualifications will be individually assessed by our specialist tutors
- The workplace is in England
- Must provide a registered pharmacist or pharmacy technician to oversee and support the apprentice’s training as a workplace training supervisorr
- Must provide off-the-job (OTJ) training during the apprentices’ normal paid working hours.
- This will be approximately between 690 - 760 hours over the apprenticeship, depending on whether accuracy checking and/or aseptic training is included in the training plan, which is the equivalent to 6 - 7 hours a week
- Additional time must be given if the learner needs to undertake additional maths or English training, such as Functional Skills
- Must provide workplace environment and/or arrange a placement that allows the learner to:
- Be able to participate in stock management
- Be able to dispense a wide range of prescriptions
Workplace Training Supervisor
Each applicant requires a Workplace Training Supervisor (WTS). The WTS must be a pharmacist or pharmacy technician, and work in the same pharmacy as the learner.
To ensure a smooth enrolment process, we recommend discussing the requirements and expectations of the role with the WTS before providing their details on the application form.
Digital Apprenticeship Service Account
In order to receive a levy gift, you will first need to set up a Digital Apprenticeship Service (DAS) Account. This allows our team to create a connection between your pharmacy’s account and the levy gifting organisation’s account, once this has been approved and your learner is ready to start their programme, the funds will start to be transferred from one account to the other to fund the apprenticeship programme fees.
Here is a step-by-step guide on setting up a DAS account:
There are four steps to registration:
- Adding your user details
- Adding your PAYE details
- Adding the account name
- Accepting the employer agreement
Before you start, you will need:
- To be authorised to accept legal agreements on behalf of your organisation
- A Gov.uk One login
- Your email address
- Your 13-digit Accounts Office reference and Employer PAYE number (found on letters from HMRC about PAYE and the tax number)
How to create a DAS account, head to the government website
Step 1: create or login in via your GOV.UK One Login account and add user details
Step 2: add your organisation and PAYE scheme using your Accounts Office Reference number or use your Government Gateway log in
Step 3: set your account name
Step 4: accept your employer agreement. The DAS functionality of the account will be restricted until this has been done
For a comprehensive guide (with a video of the set up), use this video.
Dispensing Assistant Training
The levy gifting campaign has expanded and now applies to the Level 2 Pharmacy Services Assistant Apprenticeship. This is suitable for new employees who require mandatory training as a dispensing assistant, in line with the GPhC minimum education and training requirements for support staff.
Candidates for both the Level 2 and Level 3 apprenticeships can be nominated using the same form, when the application window opens on Wednesday 4 March.