Build targeted skills without committing to a full Apprenticeship programme. Our NEW Apprenticeship Units will help your team achieve industry specific training, all while completing within 16 weeks.
Apprenticeship Units
Apprenticeship Units give employers a flexible way to develop specific skills within their business. Funded through the skills levy, individuals can complete a specific area of expertise from an approved Apprenticeship standard, focusing on the knowledge and skills most relevant to their role.
Apprenticeship Units are ideal for businesses looking to address immediate skills needs, as well as support quick professional development.
They are even beneficial when looking to introduce new areas such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), leadership or digital transformation without the longer commitment of a full programme. Apprenticeship Units provide practical, workplace focused learning that delivers immediate value.
How Do Apprenticeship Units Work?
Apprenticeship units consists of short, focused training, based on knowledge and skills taken from an existing Apprenticeship standard. Rather than completing a full Apprenticeship programme, an employee completes one specific unit.
Who are Apprenticeship units for?
Apprenticeship Units are ideal for:
- Employers looking to upskill existing employees.
- Managers preparing for new responsibilities.
- Teams introducing new technology or ways of working.
- Businesses wanting to explore AI and digital transformation.
- Employees who need focused professional development without completing a full Apprenticeship programme.
Is this right for your business?
Apprenticeship units are designed for:
- Employees aged 19 or over
- Existing members of staff
- Employers wanting to close a specific skills gap
- Employees who are looking to upskill in a specific area
Why choose Apprenticeship Units?
Develop the skills your employees need instantly without enrolling them onto a full Apprenticeship.
Choose learning that addresses a specific business challenge or knowledge gap.
Apprenticeship Units can be completed within 16 weeks, or 30 hours of training. This allows employees to balance learning with their day to day responsibilities.
The training provided directly links to real workplace situations, helping employees apply their new knowledge straight away.
Support your workforce with emerging skills in areas such as AI, digital transformation, leadership and more.
Funding
Like full programmes, Apprenticeship units can be funded through the skills levy. Each unit has a maximum funding of £750. This can be paid through your levy fund (if you are a levy payer).
Funding is available for eligible employers in England through either their Growth and Skills Levy funds or government co investment, depending on how the business funds training.
Levy paying employers who do not have enough money in their levy account (from 1st August 2026) can receive a Government contribution, which is up to 75% of the unit costs. The remaining 25% must be funded by the employer.
Non Levy paying employers can reserve funding for Apprenticeship unit training through their Apprenticeship service account.
SMEs (non-levy employers with a pay bill under £3 million) usually pay no more than 5% of Apprenticeship training and assessment costs, with the government funding 95% of the course cost. From April 2024, the government fully funds training for apprentices aged 16–21 (and some 22–24 with an EHC plan or care-leaver status). Employers hiring 16–18-year-olds (or eligible 19–24s) also receive a £1,000 incentive. Apprentices must work mainly in England, be on an approved standard, and use a registered training provider. SMEs only pay extra if training costs exceed the funding band.
Large employers with an annual pay bill over £3 million must pay the Apprenticeship Levy, which is 0.5% of their total pay bill, minus a £15,000 allowance. Funds go into a digital Apprenticeship account to pay for approved training and assessments. From 1st August 2026, unused funds expire after 12 months. Employers can transfer up to 50% of unused levy funds to other employers. If training costs exceed the government’s funding band for a standard, the employer covers the excess.
To find out if you are eligible for funding, contact us and talk to our experts.
Let's discuss your training needs
Complete our form today and we’ll be in touch to explore how apprenticeship units can help your employees develop the skills your business needs.
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