The Ultimate Guide to Apprenticeships in 2026

Apprenticeships are changing fast. With the Apprenticeship Levy evolving into the Growth and Skills Levy, new funding rules, shorter training options and major reforms landing in 2026, many employers are unsure how the system now works or how to use it properly. This video is a complete, practical guide to UK apprenticeships for employers. It explains how apprenticeships actually work, how funding is structured, what the 2026 reforms mean for your business, and how to build an apprenticeship programme that fills real skills gaps instead of creating risk or wasted budget. 0:00 - Intro 1:22 - How the Apprenticeship System Works 2:17 - The Growth and Skills Levy 3:47 - Apprenticeship Funding 4:43 - Shorter Courses and Faster Pathways 5:59 - Off the Job Hours 6:41- How Apprenticeship Training Is Delivered 8:10 - Apprentice Wages and Pay Structure 9:22 - How to Recruit an Apprentice (Correctly) 11:17 - Choosing the Right Training Provider 12:51 - Compliance and Documentation 14:48 - Safeguarding and Employer Duty of Care 16:08 - Mentoring and Day to Day Support 17:14 - Progress Reviews and Ongoing Support 18:56 - End Point Assessment (EPA) 20:05 - Retention and Progression After Completion 20:55 - The Value of Building a Programme vs Hiring One Apprentice 22:03 - Next Steps for Automotive Employers 23:33 - Outro To learn more, visit: https://www.apprenticeship-central.co...