DfE/DWP have now published information about the new apprenticeship units due to be funded from the Growth and Skills Levy.

Whilst we still do not have the published Funding Rules yet these are due shortly and you can register to join our Apprenticeship Unit Funding Rules webinar HERE Our webinar is currently tentatively scheduled for Tuesday 24^th March at 9.30 though this may be rescheduled if we have a clear date for when the Rules are likely to be published.

In summary:

1. Units are for 19+ only

• Apprenticeship units are designed for employees aged 19+ and aim to meet immediate business needs rather than support career entry. Key features include:

• Short duration: 30–140 hours over 1–16 weeks
• Flexible delivery models agreed between employer and provider
• No standalone English and maths requirements

2. Delivery will initially be limited to providers invited to deliver via a letter from DfE at the end of March

• To be eligible, training providers must :

• • deliver the standards or sector subject areas (Tier 2) from which apprenticeship units are drawn (based on 2024/25 delivery data)
  • be on the Apprenticeship Provider and Assessment Register and actively delivering apprenticeships
  • not have any indicators rated as ‘at risk’ on the Apprenticeship Accountability Framework
  • be free from contractual funding restrictions

• The Department will carry out a verification check against the published eligibility criteria. Once this check is complete, eligibility to deliver apprenticeship units will be confirmed.

3. Assessment for units will be via a test

• The test will be developed by providers but must be validated by employers
• If an employer or learner feels external independent assessment is needed, for example to meet regulatory requirements, they can work with their training provider to arrange this

4. The unit list is limited :

• The initial rollout will focus on priority sectors aligned with the Industrial Strategy, though we do not have any detail on the KSB or assessment requirements. The unit KSBs and assessment requirements will be published on the Skills England website in April, requirements will be as follows:

• AI leadership and strategy
• Electric vehicle charging installation
• Electrical and mechanical fitting
• Modular building assembly
• Solar PV installation
• Mechanised welding
• Further details, including funding rates and unit specifications, will be published on the Skills England website from 1 April 2026

5. Prior learning for units will be required if an apprentice progresses to a full apprenticeship:

• Learners who progress onto a full apprenticeship will have their unit recognised as prior learning, supporting progression while maintaining apprenticeship requirements.

6. The rollout of additional units depends on the early performance :

• The early programme will be used to gather insights
• To enable future expansion based on demand and performance

7. There will be quality monitoring but no intervention initially:

• Apprenticeship units will be accounted for in the apprenticeship training provider accountability framework
• DfE will track the ratio of starts to completion and average durations
• There won’t be any intervention thresholds while the offer is in its early development phase.

You can read the published information about the Units HERE

If you have any queries please email Rebecca at [email protected]