The Apprenticeship Levy
What is The Apprenticeship Levy?
The Apprenticeship Levy is a government initiative introduced in April 2017 to help employers invest in high-quality training and development. It enables organisations to recruit new talent, upskill their workforce, and build long-term capability through apprenticeship programmes.
From 2026 onwards, the Levy continues to underpin the apprenticeship system, giving employers more flexibility in how apprenticeship funding can be used across sectors and job roles.
Blue Lion Is Ready for Apprenticeship Unit Delivery (From April 2026)
Skills England has set out plans for “Apprenticeship Units” — flexible, standalone learning units that employers can access individually from April 2026.
Blue Lion is already prepared.
Our programmes are intentionally structured around modules and units, meaning this transition requires minimal change for us. We are well positioned to offer unit-based apprenticeship learning as soon as it goes live.
Example:
From April 2026, employers will be able to access individual apprenticeship units with us, such as:
-
Problem Solving Unit
A stand-alone unit aligned to national apprenticeship standards, ideal for developing targeted capability without requiring full-programme enrolment.
More units will follow, giving employers maximum flexibility to build skills quickly and efficiently.
Get Ahead of the 2026 Reforms
By choosing Blue Lion, employers benefit from:
- Programmes already aligned with future Skills England expectations
- 8-month apprenticeships currently in delivery
- Early access to unit-based apprenticeship models
- Faster, more flexible skills development
- Clear pathways for workforce progression
Upcoming Funding Changes: What the Budget Means for Employers
The latest Budget announced the government’s intention to expand access to apprenticeships by fully funding training for apprentices aged under 25 in SMEs. This proposed change will remove co-investment costs for non-levy employers and make workforce development more accessible for smaller organisations.
Although these changes are not yet active, they provide a clear indication of the Skills England direction:
shorter, more flexible, skills-focused apprenticeship delivery.
Blue Lion Is Already Delivering the New Skills England Model
While national reforms continue to develop, Blue Lion Training Academy has already implemented the next-generation apprenticeship approach.
✔ 8-Month Apprenticeships Now Live
Our accelerated 8-month apprenticeship programmes are fully operational — and learners are already on programme.
This streamlined model delivers outstanding quality with faster time-to-competency and clearer progression from Level 3 → 4 → 5.
✔ Built for Skills England’s Future Framework
Our programmes have been designed around the principles that the government is moving towards nationally:
- Faster delivery
- Strong, applied skills focus
- Modern, employer-centred curriculum design
- Flexible progression routes across levels
