Here’s What Employers Need to Know
Over the past few days, Skills England has announced some significant changes to the apprenticeship landscape. The team at SEATS has taken the time to read, review and digest the updates so we can bring them to you in one clear, straightforward summary.
As expected, there is now a major policy pivot towards supporting younger people into work, with increased incentives for employers and new, shorter apprenticeship units designed to plug skills gaps quickly.
What’s changing?
1. Leadership & Management apprenticeships are being defunded
From September this year, a number of apprenticeship standards will no longer be funded. This includes several hugely popular leadership and management programmes, including:
- Level 3 Team Leader
- Level 5 Operations Manager
- Level 5 Coaching Professional
- Level 6 Chartered Manager
These are widely used by employers to develop supervisors, middle managers and future leaders.
If you are planning to enrol yourself or your team onto one of these programmes
DO NOT DELAY
There is still time to secure places before the funding changes take effect, but action is needed now.
SEATS has been preparing for these changes and can help you move quickly. We also have our own Practical Leadership Series in place, offering a flexible alternative for businesses wanting to develop confident, capable leaders.
2. Stronger employer incentives to recruit younger apprentices
The government’s direction is clear: more support for young adults entering the workforce.
The Youth Guarantee offer includes:
- £1,000 for employers hiring apprentices aged 16–18
- NEW £2,000 for SMEs hiring apprentices aged 16–24*
- NEW £3,000 for employers hiring 18–24-year-olds who have been on Universal Credit for over 6 months*
- £2,000 for employers hiring foundation apprentices aged 16–21
- No employer National Insurance contributions for employees under 21, or apprentices under 25
- A Jobs Guarantee offering fully subsidised work for long-term unemployed 18–24-year-olds
For employers looking to build talent pipelines and bring in new starters, these are valuable incentives that should not be overlooked. *Dates to be confirmed
3. New Apprenticeship Units are launching in April.
The first Apprenticeship Units have also been announced. These are shorter, more targeted training options designed to address specific skills gaps quickly.
The first units include:
- AI Leadership
- Electric vehicle charging point installation and maintenance
- Electrical fitting and assembly
- Mechanical fitting and assembly
- Permanent modular building assembly
- Solar PV installation and maintenance
- Welding
These new units suggest a move towards faster, more flexible training solutions as an alternative to a full apprenticeship programme.
What should employers do now?
These changes create both risk and opportunity.
If you are considering leadership and management apprenticeships for existing staff, DO NOT DELAY.
If you are looking to recruit younger talent, there are now even more reasons to act.
If you are unsure what these reforms mean for your organisation, SEATS can help you navigate the options clearly.
Whether it’s:
- enrolling before funding ends
- exploring alternative leadership development routes
- making the most of new apprenticeship incentives
- or understanding how apprenticeship units could support your workforce our team is here to help.
Speak to SEATS today to find the best solution for your organisation.
