Earlier this year the Government announced that funding will be axed for Level 7 Apprenticeships (the highest level of apprenticeship equivalent to a masters qualification) for anyone aged 22 or older (25 for care leavers). The changes will come into effect from January 2026.
In 2023/24 almost 24,000 Level 7 Apprenticeships were started nationwide; the vast majority by people over 22 years of age. Without funding for these places, most apprenticeships of this level may be unviable going forwards.
The below motion comes from Sheffield Liberal Democrats, demonstrating the negative impact of this changes and calling on the Government to reconsider as well as regional mayors to fill funding gaps for local businesses.
This Council notes that:
- From January 2026, Level 7 (Higher or Professional) apprenticeship funding will be available only to those aged 16-21 and care leavers under 25.
- Level 7 represents the highest level of apprenticeship available and is equivalent to a Masters degree.
- The Royal Statistical Society has warned that changes to Level 7 apprenticeship funding will impact the recruitment of medical statisticians, many of whom begin training after a first degree and so will no longer be eligible for Government funding.
- Level 7 apprentices are employed by organisations across [AREA NAME].
- [COUNCIL NAME] continues to put adult education, training and skills at the heart of what we do.
Council believes that:
- Apprenticeships are a way to address social inequality and offer people the chance to gain valuable skills, higher earning potential, and improved life chances.
- Lifelong learning allows individuals and industries to respond to the changing employment market and fill skills gaps.
- Ambitions of wanting more young people in employment and training should not come at the expense of opportunity for all.
- Changes to Level 7 apprenticeship funding will disadvantage employers across all sectors who do not have additional budget to fund apprentices.
- Changes to Level 7 apprenticeship funding may disadvantage school leavers starting at Level 2 to 4 apprenticeships who may not reach Level 7 before the age of 22.
- The reduction in the number of apprentices on some courses will make them no longer viable, thus depriving anyone of the opportunity to enrol.
- Changes to Level 7 apprenticeship funding in addition to the increase in Employers’ National Insurance Contributions will disadvantage small businesses in particular and do little to stimulate economic growth.
Council resolves to:
- Call on the Mayor of [REGION NAME] to allocate funding as part of the region’s integrated settlement to support employers to hire Level 7 apprentices.
- Ask the Chief Executive to forward a copy of this motion to [LOCAL MAYOR NAME], and to the Secretary of State for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education to make the Council’s position clear and to request that the decision to limit highest level apprenticeship qualifications to those aged 21 and under is reviewed.