Apprenticeship reforms: what employers need to know

UK apprenticeship frameworks are undergoing significant reform – and many employers are unclear about how to respond.

To help businesses navigate the changes, Eleanor Baker Barnes, Commercial Director at Apprenticeship Central, has developed a YouTube channel providing a host of insights and information. A recent video provides a detailed video guide outlining how apprenticeships currently work, how funding is structured, and what the upcoming 2026 reforms mean in practical terms.

The video covers the transition from the Apprenticeship Levy to the new Growth and Skills Levy, highlighting how employers can make best use of available funding. It also addresses the introduction of shorter training pathways, the importance of off-the-job hours, and how training is delivered in practice.

Designed to provide clarity, the video outlines the process of recruiting an apprentice, selecting the right training provider, and ensuring compliance with documentation and safeguarding requirements. Eleanor also emphasises the employer’s duty of care, from day-to-day support to formal progress reviews.

One key message is that apprenticeships must be built around real skills needs. Eleanor explains how to create a programme that supports long-term retention and progression, rather than investing in standalone roles with limited strategic value.

For those in the automotive sector specifically, the final section of the video offers tailored advice on how to align apprenticeship strategies with evolving workforce demands.

As reform gathers pace and competition for talent grows, Eleanor encourages employers to take a proactive approach: “Understanding the structure, responsibilities and potential of modern apprenticeships is critical to building the workforce of the future.”

This practical, up-to-date resource offers employers the tools and knowledge to invest confidently in apprenticeship programmes that deliver real value.

To view the full video click here https://youtu.be/NauOFpiuz34?si=fwvCNDdOmv9-fNz-