Apprenticeship Funding: August 2026 Changes
The August 2026 change funds apprenticeship training for eligible under-25s. It does not turn an apprentice into a free employee: wages, supervision and the practical cost of bringing them into the business remain separate.
What the announcement covers
| Item | What it means for the business |
|---|---|
| Eligible under-25 apprenticeship training | Fully funded from 1 August under the announced arrangements |
| Small-employer support | Up to £8,000 announced for eligible SMEs; not a payment promised to every employer |
| Wages and day-to-day employment | Still need budgeting alongside training time, tools and supervision |
The useful next step
Give the training provider the trade, candidate's age and proposed start month. Ask them to confirm the funded training, any employer contribution, support eligibility and release time in one email. That turns a headline into the actual commitment for your business.
Plan for training, not just an extra pair of hands
Choose who supervises them and which normal jobs provide suitable learning. Allow for training time rather than pricing every week as a full week of productive help.
Source: the government's 28 July 2026 announcement. Eligibility and funding arrangements differ across the UK. The first-hire guide covers employer setup.
Updated 29 October 2026 · Report a factual error