Leadership Apprenticeship Defunding: What the 2026 Changes Mean for Your Talent Strategy

Major reforms to apprenticeship funding are on the way in 2026, and they’re set to reshape how organisations develop, retain, and progress their leaders.

At Instep UK, we work in true partnership with employers to navigate change with confidence. That’s why we’ve unpacked what the new funding landscape means in practice, how it could affect your leadership pathways, and where the reforms create new opportunities to build capability in smarter, more sustainable ways.

From greater flexibility in how funding can be used, to clearer guidance on subject matter expert involvement and the evolving rules around levy transfers, our team is here to help you turn policy change into organisational advantage.