A plain-English guide to the reforms already in place and the big changes arriving on 1 August 2026 — for apprentices, employers, and everyone supporting apprenticeship delivery.

MediPro  ·  July 2026

If you work in or around apprenticeships right now, you have probably felt the ground shifting. Over the last year the government has introduced a series of reforms to how apprenticeships are funded and delivered, and the most significant funding change of all lands on 1 August 2026. Some of these changes make apprenticeships quicker and easier to complete. Others change what they cost and who can access funding. This post pulls it all together in plain English, so whether you are an apprentice, an employer, or part of a delivery team, you can see exactly what is changing and what it means for you.

At MediPro we support apprenticeships across the ambulance, dental, pharmacy and care sectors, so we have written this with those settings in mind — but the core changes apply right across the system.

What has already changed

Apprenticeships can now be shorter

Since August 2025, the minimum length of an apprenticeship has dropped from 12 months to 8 months, where that is appropriate for the standard and the individual. This does not mean everyone finishes sooner or that quality drops — apprentices still have to complete their off-the-job training and reach full competence in their role. It simply means someone who already brings relevant experience is no longer held to a fixed 12-month minimum. For busy clinical and care settings, that flexibility is welcome.

English and maths is no longer a barrier for adult learners

One of the most common reasons capable apprentices failed to complete used to be the Level 2 English and maths requirement. Since August 2025, apprentices aged 19 and over no longer have to achieve these qualifications in order to complete their apprenticeship. English and maths can still be offered where it genuinely helps someone in their role, and it remains part of some standards — but it is no longer a blanket gateway for adult learners. For sectors like adult care, where many apprentices are returning to learning later in life, this removes a real hurdle.

A new entry route: foundation apprenticeships

Foundation apprenticeships launched in August 2025 as a Level 2 ‘job with training’ aimed at young people aged 16 to 21 (and up to 24 for care leavers, those with an Education, Health and Care Plan, or people in the prison system). They offer a broad, employability-focused start and a clear stepping stone into a full apprenticeship. Health and social care is one of the launch sectors, so they are a natural first rung for young people wanting to build a career in care. Employers who host a foundation apprentice can receive up to £2,000, paid across retention, a mid-point, and progression to the next level.

Level 7 funding has been withdrawn for older apprentices

From 1 January 2026, government funding for Level 7 (master’s-level) apprenticeships was removed for anyone aged 22 or over when they start. Funding is kept for 16–21 year olds, and for under-25s who are care leavers or have an EHCP. Anyone who began their Level 7 by the end of 2025 keeps funding to completion.

The big change: 1 August 2026

This is the date to circle. The funding rules for apprenticeships starting on or after 1 August 2026 change in several important ways. Here is what matters most.

If your levy funds run out, co-investment jumps to 25%

For larger, levy-paying employers, when levy funds are used up the government has historically covered 95% of remaining training costs, with the employer paying 5%. For new apprenticeships starting from 1 August 2026, that employer share rises to 25%, with the government covering 75%. The key thing to know: apprentices who start before 1 August 2026 keep the old 5% rate right through to completion. Only new starts from that date are affected — so timing matters.

Free training for young apprentices at smaller employers

Here is the good news for smaller businesses, which make up most dental practices, community pharmacies and care providers. From 1 August 2026, the government fully funds training and assessment for apprentices aged 16 to 24 employed by non-levy-paying employers. That means no employer contribution at all for young apprentices. For a 25-plus apprentice, a 5% contribution still applies.

A new £2,000 payment for hiring a young apprentice

From October 2026, non-levy employers who take on a new apprentice aged 16 to 24 can claim a £2,000 hiring payment, paid in two £1,000 instalments, with the first arriving after the apprentice completes 90 days. Combined with the free training above, this makes recruiting a young apprentice more affordable than it has been in years.

Levy funds need to be used sooner

Two changes nudge levy-paying employers to spend their funds rather than let them sit. The 10% government top-up that used to be added to new funds ends on 1 August 2026, and new funds entering a levy account from that date will expire after 12 months rather than 24. Funds already sitting in the account by 31 July 2026 keep their original 24-month life. If you are a levy payer, now is the time to plan how you will use your funds.

Less paperwork, and a new look for assessment

Alongside the funding changes, the rules have been simplified. Provider and employer contracts can now be held at programme level rather than for each individual learner, and employers no longer approve the split between training and assessment prices — only price increases. Assessment itself is being reformed too: the old ‘gateway’ becomes the ‘gateway to completion’, reflecting that assessment can now happen at appropriate points across the apprenticeship rather than only at the very end. If you support delivery, expect assessment to be discussed from day one.

What this means for you

If you are an apprentice

• You may be able to complete faster than before, where an 8-month route suits you.
• If you are 19 or over, English and maths is no longer a barrier to completing — though it may still be offered where it helps.
• If you are 16–24, you are now more attractive and more affordable for smaller employers to take on.
• If you are 22 or over and had your eye on a Level 7 route, check the funding position early — it may need employer backing.

If you are an employer

• Smaller (non-levy) employers: from August 2026 your 16–24 apprentices are fully funded, and from October there is a £2,000 payment for hiring one.
• Levy-paying employers: budget for the 25% co-investment on new starts once your funds run out, and use your levy sooner as new funds now expire after 12 months.
• Whenever you start apprentices, consider whether beginning before 1 August 2026 locks in more favourable terms for that group.
• Make sure every apprentice is paid at least the National Minimum Wage — this is now strictly enforced.

If you support apprenticeship delivery

• Keep track of which standards have moved to a revised assessment plan and make sure learners understand the new approach at induction.
• Help employers time new starts around the 1 August 2026 cut-off, and make sure their apprenticeship service and PAYE details are up to date.
• Lead conversations with dental, pharmacy and care clients on the free 16–24 funding and the hiring payment — they are genuinely good news.

The bottom line

Taken together, these reforms make apprenticeships quicker to complete, easier to access for young people, and cheaper for smaller employers to offer — while asking larger employers to use their levy more deliberately and putting a firmer line under higher-level, older-learner funding. The single most important date is 1 August 2026, so if you are planning new starts, it pays to think about timing now.

If you would like help working out what these changes mean for your team, your apprentices or your recruitment plans across ambulance, dental, pharmacy or care, get in touch with the MediPro team — we are happy to talk it through.