As the Apprenticeship Levy gives way to the new Growth and Skills Levy in April 2026, apprenticeship providers across the UK are gearing up for yet more change. A key change is the introduction of short courses, to be known as ‘apprenticeship units’, which will form part of the refreshed skills provision. The upcoming changes mean it’s more important than ever to have a technology partner that can adapt quickly and continue to meet your needs as requirements evolve. 

Aptem stands ready to help you navigate every change – giving you confidence that our platform will handle apprenticeship unit delivery and management. 

What are apprenticeship units? 

While the full details will unfold as government guidance is released, here’s what we know so far: 

• The Growth and Skills Levy will support not only full apprenticeships, but also short courses – officially called apprenticeship units.  

• These units will initially target priority skills areas such as engineering, digital, and artificial intelligence.  

• Units will run for as little as one week, up to a few months, providing more agile, targeted upskilling opportunities for the workforce.  

• Providers will register for delivery of apprenticeship units using the existing apprenticeship provider and assessment register (APAR), streamlining the process.  

• Employers will have greater choice, as units are “built from employer-designed occupational standards using quality-assured knowledge and skills” (Kate Ridley-Pepper, DfE).  

• Content for these courses may be adapted directly from existing apprenticeship standards, making them especially relevant for upskilling current employees without enrolling in a full apprenticeship. 

 (FE Week, November 2025) 

Assessment for apprenticeship units is still under consideration and may vary depending on the content and length of each unit. There are ongoing discussions around whether some units will have an independent assessment component, or if assessment will be tailored to the needs of each specific programme.  

In short, apprenticeship units are about flexibility and employer-led responsiveness – values that are at the core of Aptem’s platform. 

Upcoming funding and programme design processes 

Guidance on funding processes for apprenticeship units is also awaited, but sector feedback and current understanding suggest: 

• Delivery and funding claims will likely follow familiar processes via the individualised learner record (ILR), as they do today for apprenticeship programmes. 

• Apprenticeship units are expected to have Learning Aim Reference Service (LARS) codes, enabling a ‘mix and match’ approach to programme design. 

Why Aptem stands ready for apprenticeship units 

We’ve been talking to providers who are already planning for this shift. Their main concerns centre on how to structure and fund the new units, how ILR returns will need to change, and how the inevitable ‘mix and match’ aspect will work. 

Here’s why you can be confident with Aptem: 

• Agile ILR updates: As soon as new funding or learning delivery model (LDM) codes are released by the DfE, our platform will be updated rapidly.
  
  
• Flexible programme design: Providers can begin building and customising programmes/learning plans now. If practice changes, Aptem’s templates and workflows support swift pivots. Providers can then set up the ILR templates once they are released. 
  
  
• Sub-programme functionality: Aptem’s sub-programme feature allows providers to ‘plug in’ additional units or learning elements to a main programme. This supports the ‘mix and match’ expected style of apprenticeship units, and helps to create a tailored learner journey. 
  
  
• Ongoing policy vigilance: Our dedicated Aptem Compliance Advisory Board brings together external sector specialists and Aptem experts to review changes in funding, audit and inspection. This helps ensure the platform remains both compliant and practical, whatever the new requirements bring. 
  
  
• Advanced functionality across the learner journey: Comprehensive tools for enrolment, progress tracking, evidence of learning capture, assessment preparation, and reporting ensure a seamless and fully supported experience from start to finish.

Next steps: preparing for change 

If you’re already an Aptem customer: Start designing the programmes you hope to deliver from 2026. Build out learning plans and consider where sub-programmes or new units might be needed. Share your ideas and challenges with your Customer Success Manager. We’re here to listen, refine, and get ahead of your future needs. 

If you’re considering switching to Aptem: Now is the time to future-proof your apprenticeship and skills delivery. Book a demonstration with our team to see how Aptem can power the next phase of your skills provision – contact us for a demo. 

Change is coming to apprenticeships and workforce upskilling, and Aptem is here to ensure you can respond with confidence, agility and compliance. We’ll be monitoring government guidance as it emerges, and you can be certain that when the time comes for apprenticeship units, Aptem customers will be ready to deliver.