Growth and Skills Levy: A New Approach to Workplace Learning

New Resource Alert: Growth and Skills Levy Updates 📋The Department for Education has launched a dedicated web page bringing together all the latest updates on the Growth and Skills Levy in one convenient location (https://lnkd.in/enQgTvd5)! Content includes guides on: 🎯 Foundation Apprenticeships - New Level 2 programmes launched in construction, engineering, digital, and health & social care sectors ⏰ Reduced Minimum Duration - Apprenticeships can now be completed in just 8 months (down from 12) 📚 Short Courses Coming - New levy-funded courses in digital, AI, and engineering from April 2026 ✏️ Simplified English & Maths - Adults (19+) can now demonstrate skills through real work tasks rather than formal qualifications 🎓 Refocused Level 7 Funding - Investment prioritised for young people aged 16-21 💡The page features a helpful video explaining how the apprenticeship budget works and how businesses of all sizes can access funding - perfect for clearing up common misconceptions! This builds on the existing apprenticeship levy (0.5% for employers with £3m+ payroll) whilst offering greater flexibility for employers and learners. A good source of high-level information for HR teams, L&D professionals and business leaders planning their workforce development strategy. #GrowthAndSkillsLevy #Apprenticeships #SkillsDevelopment #EarnandLearn #WorkforcePlanning

New Resource Alert: Growth and Skills Levy Updates 📋The Department for Education has launched a dedicated web page bringing together all the latest updates on the Growth and Skills Levy in one convenient location (https://lnkd.in/enQgTvd5)! Content includes guides on: 🎯 Foundation Apprenticeships - New Level 2 programmes launched in construction, engineering, digital, and health & social care sectors ⏰ Reduced Minimum Duration - Apprenticeships can now be completed in just 8 months (down from 12) 📚 Short Courses Coming - New levy-funded courses in digital, AI, and engineering from April 2026 ✏️ Simplified English & Maths - Adults (19+) can now demonstrate skills through real work tasks rather than formal qualifications 🎓 Refocused Level 7 Funding - Investment prioritised for young people aged 16-21 💡The page features a helpful video explaining how the apprenticeship budget works and how businesses of all sizes can access funding - perfect for clearing up common misconceptions! This builds on the existing apprenticeship levy (0.5% for employers with £3m+ payroll) whilst offering greater flexibility for employers and learners. A good source of high-level information for HR teams, L&D professionals and business leaders planning their workforce development strategy. #GrowthAndSkillsLevy #Apprenticeships #SkillsDevelopment #EarnandLearn #WorkforcePlanning

🗣️ New Resource Alert: Growth and Skills Levy Updates 📋The Department for Education has launched a dedicated web page bringing together all the latest updates on the Growth and Skills Levy in one convenient location (https://lnkd.in/enQgTvd5)! Content includes guides on: 🎯 Foundation Apprenticeships - New Level 2 programmes launched in construction, engineering, digital, and health & social care sectors ⏰ Reduced Minimum Duration - Apprenticeships can now be completed in just 8 months (down from 12) 📚 Short Courses Coming - New levy-funded courses in digital, AI, and engineering from April 2026 ✏️ Simplified English & Maths - Adults (19+) can now demonstrate skills through real work tasks rather than formal qualifications 🎓 Refocused Level 7 Funding - Investment prioritised for young people aged 16-21 💡The page features a helpful video explaining how the apprenticeship budget works and how businesses of all sizes can access funding - perfect for clearing up common misconceptions! This builds on the existing apprenticeship levy (0.5% for employers with £3m+ payroll) whilst offering greater flexibility for employers and learners. A good source of high-level information for HR teams, L&D professionals, and business leaders planning their workforce development strategy. #GrowthAndSkillsLevy #Apprenticeships #SkillsDevelopment #EarnandLearn #WorkforcePlanning

If you are an employer considering taking on an apprentice, please watch this presentation. It explains how the apprenticeship budget works and how businesses of all sizes can access it.

The Growth and Skills Levy is on its way. It marks a big shift from the Apprenticeship Levy, keeping the same foundation, but adding much more flexibility for employers and learners. A few of the key changes include: 🔹 A wider range of funded training options 🔹 New Foundation Apprenticeships 🔹 Short, targeted courses (from April 2026) in areas like AI and digital 🔹 No English & maths requirements for apprentices aged 19+ 🔹 A reduced minimum duration of 8 months (from August 2025) 🔹 Funding changes for Level 7 programmes (from January 2026) So what does this mean for employers, HR leaders, and training providers? It’s time to: 1️⃣ Take stock of your current training and apprenticeship activity. 2️⃣ Map where future skills gaps are likely to appear, especially in digital and technical areas. 3️⃣ Plan how to make use of the levy more creatively, from apprenticeships to shorter, skills-focused courses. 4️⃣ Start conversations with providers who are already preparing for the new model. The bottom line? This reform gives organisations more choice, but also more responsibility to use funding wisely. What’s your first thought on the new Growth and Skills Levy - opportunity, challenge, or a bit of both? #growthandskillslevy #apprenticeships

What's changing following the Department for Education's Apprenticeship Assessment Principles and what does this mean for Awarding Organisations?😵 We take a look at the ways to streamline apprenticeship assessment using online exam and e-marking technology in our latest blog, learn more 👉https://lnkd.in/eGagbBjd #DigitalAssessment #EMarking #EdTech #AwardingOrganisations #Blog

So glad to see the Government pushing apprenticeships and skills based learning today. I know apprenticeships got abused in the 80s and 90s but when done correctly, they are superb. I have seen the success when my father was an apprentice fitter at AEC when he was 21 but retired at 55 as a Managing Director. I am on an apprenticeship myself currently and can honestly say I have learnt more on that than I did in my degree or my postgrad! My post grad was teaching and I'd still recommend an apprenticeship over traditional routes too! I spoke at an event in 2022 about succession planning and careers education and one of the speakers that spoke after me said that engineering and technology is evolving so fast that by the time those at uni graduate, what they learnt in year 1 is out of date. So, why do we still put so much emphasis on degrees and formal education when we can coach, mentor and utilise apprenticeships to develop our next generation of business leaders through being immersed in the industries they will lead to gain their knowledge and experience? Who can say what the Government will actually achieve? I am making no judgement or assumptions on that but I definitely agree with the sentiment of placing equal importance on more vocational learning than traditional higher education routes.

The Future of Apprenticeship Awarding – Fate or Fortune? The apprenticeship landscape is shifting — fast. With Skills England replacing IfATE, Ofqual rewriting the apprenticeship assessment rules, and ESFA funding reforms taking effect from August 2025, the traditional “end-point” model of assessment is being fundamentally reimagined. Providers will soon be able to assess parts of the apprenticeship on-programme — with EPAOs moving into new roles around design, moderation, verification, and quality assurance. At the same time, the new Growth & Skills Levy will broaden training funding, AI tools are reshaping quality control, and Ofsted and the OfS are tightening expectations around evidence and consistency. All of this raises a big question for awarding organisations and EPAOs alike: Are we delivery organisations — or quality and assurance partners in a new skills ecosystem? For some, this will feel like a threat. The traditional EPA “moment at the end” is evolving into something more fluid and continuous. But for others, this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity. Forward-thinking EPAOs and awarding bodies are already: Recasting their service catalogues toward assessment design, verification, and moderation. Building AI governance into assessment delivery and authenticity checks. Developing SME-friendly, low-friction assessment models. Aligning fast with Skills England’s refreshed standards and sector priorities. The message is clear: the centre of gravity is moving — from assessment delivery to assessment design and assurance. Those who adapt early will find new growth and relevance. Those who don’t may find themselves regulated out of the conversation. The future of apprenticeship awarding isn’t fate — it’s strategy.

The Future of Apprenticeship Awarding – Fate or Fortune? The apprenticeship landscape is shifting — fast. With Skills England replacing IfATE, Ofqual rewriting the apprenticeship assessment rules, and ESFA funding reforms taking effect from August 2025, the traditional “end-point” model of assessment is being fundamentally reimagined. Providers will soon be able to assess parts of the apprenticeship on-programme — with EPAOs moving into new roles around design, moderation, verification, and quality assurance. At the same time, the new Growth & Skills Levy will broaden training funding, AI tools are reshaping quality control, and Ofsted and the OfS are tightening expectations around evidence and consistency. All of this raises a big question for awarding organisations and EPAOs alike: Are we delivery organisations — or quality and assurance partners in a new skills ecosystem? For some, this will feel like a threat. The traditional EPA “moment at the end” is evolving into something more fluid and continuous. But for others, this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity. Forward-thinking EPAOs and awarding bodies are already: Recasting their service catalogues toward assessment design, verification, and moderation. Building AI governance into assessment delivery and authenticity checks. Developing SME-friendly, low-friction assessment models. Aligning fast with Skills England’s refreshed standards and sector priorities. The message is clear: the centre of gravity is moving — from assessment delivery to assessment design and assurance. Those who adapt early will find new growth and relevance. Those who don’t may find themselves regulated out of the conversation. The future of apprenticeship awarding isn’t fate — it’s strategy.

Apprenticeships continue to be a highly effective way to attract motivated, career-focused individuals who may not yet have the formal qualifications typically required. These programmes bridge the skills gap by offering structured training alongside consistent weekly support from our dedicated tutors. This not only builds confidence and competence but also helps employees feel valued—ultimately boosting staff retention. It’s a win-win for both employers and apprentices. There’s a common misconception that #Apprenticeships are only for young people or those who are difficult to engage. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Apprenticeships are open to people of all ages and backgrounds. We’re working with a diverse range of individuals—career changers, those disillusioned with traditional education, people aiming for promotion, and others simply ready to pursue a new path. All are committed to learning and growing within their chosen field. In addition to supporting new recruits, apprenticeships also play a vital role in #StaffDevelopment and #Progression. Upskilling existing team members through apprenticeship programmes allows businesses to nurture talent from within, improve practice standards, and prepare staff for leadership roles. Investing in professional growth not only strengthens teams but also demonstrates a clear pathway for career advancement—helping retain passionate, high-quality educators in the sector. Whether you want to upskill existing staff or explore future apprenticeship opportunities, our Business Development team is here to support you every step of the way. Start January 2026 and future-proof your SME engineering team with Train'd Up. Train'd Up offer a range of apprenticeships in the Engineering, Rail and Business Support sectors. Train'd Up is confirmed as the 2nd Largest Training Provider in the UK with a 99.9% Pass Rate in their Apprenticeships. If you would like further advice or wish to discuss your alternative options please give us a call on 📱07867 527951 📧 David.stanton@traindup.org