What Has Been Confirmed?

The Government has officially announced that Level 7 apprenticeships will continue to be government-funded for:

• Young people aged 16–21

• Individuals under 25 who are care leavers or have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) at the start of their apprenticeship in England.

• These changes will take effect from 1 January 2026. 

What Should Employers Do Now?

If you currently employ, or plan to employ, learners on Level 7 training programmes, here’s what you need to know:

No immediate change in 2025
Any apprentice who begins their Level 7 programme before 1 January 2026 will still receive full government funding through to completion.

Support timely progression
If you have Level 4 apprentices nearing completion, we recommend planning for progression to Level 7 as soon as possible. Prompt completion of their current programme will ensure they are eligible to enrol before the 2026 funding deadline.

How First Intuition Is Supporting You

We understand that navigating these changes can be challenging. That’s why we’re actively working to provide guidance and practical solutions to support your organisation.

Webinar 5th June 2025

Key points covered during the session included:

• A detailed explanation of the recent Level 7 funding announcement (released on 27th May) and what it means for employers.
• Updates on the revised Level 4 standard and new funding band.
• Discussion of themes emerging from the 2025/26 Apprenticeship Funding Rules, with a particular focus on the government’s drive for greater flexibility in the use of levy funds.
• Reflections on the impact of policy shifts and how they signal a new phase in the apprenticeship system

You can watch the recording of the webinar below and download our slides here.

Developing Solutions: 

We’re developing solutions to help you adapt to the new funding landscape. Join us this summer, where we’ll be hosting a webinar event to share these in more detail. Sign-up details coming soon.

Questions and feedback:

Feedback from our clients is crucial during this time –  please keep engaging with us so we can shape solutions that truly support you and your learners.

Contact Us   Local Study Centres  

We’d like to thank our clients for your continued partnership. We remain committed to supporting you and your apprentices every step of the way.