Significant changes to apprenticeship funding are coming from April 2026. At the same time, some leadership and management apprenticeship routes are being defunded.
What is changing from April 2026
From April 2026, several confirmed funding changes will come into effect:
- Levy funds will expire after 12 months, reduced from the current 24 month window
- Employer co investment will rise to 25 percent once levy funds are exhausted, up from 5 percent
- The 10 percent Government top up will be removed, meaning employers will only access the value of their own contributions
- The Apprenticeship Levy will be rebranded as the Growth and Skills Levy, with greater emphasis on flexibility and shorter training options
Shorter expiry periods and increased employer contributions mean workforce planning will need to be more proactive. Unused levy funds will be lost more quickly, and the overall funding landscape will become more constrained.
Review of leadership and management apprenticeships - secure one of the final funded places
Alongside the funding reforms, the Government has confirmed the Level 5 Operations Manager Apprenticeship pathway is being defunded. This route underpins two of our Thrive Apprenticeship pathways.
The strategic advantage of a Thrive Apprenticeship
A levy funded Thrive Apprenticeship is not simply a training course. It is a strategic route to embedding Thrive across your whole setting.Through the apprenticeship, colleagues train as a fully qualified Thrive Licensed Practitioner. During the programme, your setting also receives access to:
- Thrive-Online
- My Thrive Scan
These award-winning tools support assessment, action planning and whole school wellbeing measurement, strengthening implementation and evidencing impact.
Independent ImpactEd evaluation shows that Thrive supports improvements in behaviour, attendance, staff confidence and pupil wellbeing, while contributing positively to inspection evidence and school improvement priorities.
For many schools, the apprenticeship route brings these benefits together in a structured, funded leadership pathway. It builds internal expertise, embeds relational practice and creates sustainable change, rather than relying on one off training.
What employers should consider now
From April 2026, levy funds will expire more quickly and employer contributions will increase once levy balances are used.
Schools considering a Thrive Apprenticeship should review levy balances, check expiry dates and plan enrolment timelines carefully. With funding rules confirmed and eligibility criteria potentially evolving, proactive planning ensures you make full use of the support currently available.
Apprenticeships remain a structured and funded route to developing leadership capacity while embedding Thrive across your setting. The funding landscape is shifting, but with clear planning, schools can continue to use apprenticeships strategically to strengthen wellbeing and outcomes.
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