In December 2025, the UK government announced a range of updates to apprenticeships and levies. To make sure you get the most important information quickly, we’ve summarised 5 key things businesses should know if they are looking to hire an apprentice or upskill team members in 2026. 

Apprenticeship & Levy Changes from April 2026:

1. Modular Apprenticeship Units are on the way

From April 2026, businesses will be able to use levy funding for short, flexible apprenticeship units. Businesses will be able to upskill staff in specific areas quickly.

2. Apprenticeship Levy renamed the Growth & Skills Levy

In 2026, the Apprenticeship Levy will be renamed the Growth and Skills Levy. It can now be used not only for apprenticeships but also for Apprenticeship Units.

3. New levy expiry – 12 months

Levy funds will expire after 12 months, compared to 24 months. This means businesses will need to spend their levy faster than in previous years.

4. Increased employer support after levy funds

Once your levy funds run out, your business will pay in 25% of the remaining costs (up from 5%).

5. SMEs: Full funding for under 25s

Apprentices under the age of 25 hired by Small/Medium Employers will have 100% of the training costs covered by the government.

 

Upcoming changes at Cambridge Marketing College in 2026 

New AI-focused Marketing Apprenticeships from January 2026

Cambridge Marketing College will be offering an AI-focused option for all of our marketing apprenticeships at no extra cost to a business. In our AI-focused Marketing apprenticeships, learners will be taught essential marketing topics whilst also getting 30-50 hours of AI training that has been specifically designed for marketers. 

If you want to discuss more about apprenticeships, please contact Charlotte Lestienne at charlotte@marketingcollege.com.