Apprenticeship units
EmployerApprenticeship units are short, flexible training courses that upskill existing staff in critical skill areas to support business growth and productivity.
They were announced as part of the Industrial Strategy and will be available from April 2026.
What apprenticeship units are for
Apprenticeship units are for those aged 19 and over who are already employed, who need to upskill where new skills are required or need to adapt to a changing job role.
They are not designed for those looking to begin a new occupation or career. If employers need to train someone for a new role or help them achieve full occupational competence, an apprenticeship may be more suitable.
Available units
From April 2026, apprenticeship units will be available in:
- AI leadership – developing AI strategy
- Electric vehicle charging point installation and maintenance
- Electrical fitting and assembly
- Mechanical fitting and assembly
- Permanent modular building assembly
- Solar PV installation and maintenance
- Welding - mechanised
This initial release aligns with the Industrial Strategy and reflects evidence and advice from Skills England on where demand, impact and need are greatest.
We will continue working with Skills England to identify further skills gaps which could benefit from apprenticeship units.
Funding
Apprenticeship units will be fully funded for non-levy paying employers.
Levy payers can use their levy funds to pay for apprenticeship units. This is the first time levy funds can be used for non-apprenticeship training.
If you're a levy payer and exhaust your levy funds, you'll move into co-investment.
Until August 2026, the co-investment rate after exhausting your levy funds is set at 5%, with government funding 95% of the training cost.
From August 2026, you'll need to contribute 25% of training costs for new starts, with government funding the remaining 75%.
We will be carrying out further testing with critical stakeholders to confirm the funding rates and delivery hours are set at the right level. We want to ensure the final figures are robust and reflect sector needs. The details will be made available on the Skills England website from 1 April.
How units are delivered
Apprenticeship units draw on the knowledge and skills from existing employer-designed apprenticeship occupational standards.
They last between 30 and 140 delivery hours and can be delivered over a period of one to 16 weeks.
There's flexibility in the delivery model to suit employers’ needs and the best approach can be discussed with your training provider.
English and maths
Unlike apprenticeships, apprenticeship units do not include standalone English or maths requirements beyond what is needed for the specific skill being developed.
Assessment
Learners will need to pass a skills test, delivered by the training provider, to demonstrate they have acquired the skills and knowledge set out in the apprenticeship unit. Employers will need to validate the result to confirm the learner has been successful.
If external certification is needed, for example to meet regulatory requirements, employers can work with the training provider to arrange this.
Details of the assessment process for each apprenticeship unit will be set out on the Skills England website.
Progression to apprenticeships
Completing an apprenticeship unit can provide a progression route onto an apprenticeship.
If an employee progresses to a linked apprenticeship, the unit will count as prior learning and may reduce the overall duration. The remaining apprenticeship must still be for a duration of at least 8 months and meet off-the-job training requirements.
Finding a training provider
To find a training provider for an apprenticeship unit in England, employers can use Find apprenticeship training.
How to register employees
Employers can register employees for an apprenticeship unit through their apprenticeship service account.
Further information
Full details of each apprenticeship unit, including content and assessment requirements will be published soon.
Our Growth and Skills Levy page contains more about the levy changes, including details on funding.
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