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Growth & Skills Levy 2026: Harnessing New Initiatives to Enhance Workforce Capabilities

Growth & Skills Levy 2026 Report

Harnessing New Initiatives to Enhance Workforce Capabilities

Is Your Business Ready for the Biggest Change to Employer Skills Funding in Almost a Decade?

The Growth & Skills Levy is reshaping how organisations invest in workforce development.

With new funding opportunities, Foundation Apprenticeships, Apprenticeship Units, AI-focused skills pathways and significant changes to levy spending rules, employers have a unique opportunity to build workforce capability while maximising available funding.

But with levy funds set to expire faster and employer contributions potentially increasing, organisations that fail to plan ahead could face unnecessary costs and missed opportunities.

Download our free executive guide to learn:

✅ What the Growth & Skills Levy means for employers

✅ How the new funding framework differs from the Apprenticeship Levy

✅ How Foundation Apprenticeships can strengthen talent pipelines

✅ The role of Apprenticeship Units in addressing emerging skills needs

✅ Why AI, automation and digital transformation are accelerating demand for new workforce capabilities

✅ The financial implications of delaying workforce development decisions

✅ The practical steps employers should take before August 2026

Why Download This Report?

Workforce capability is becoming a critical driver of productivity, innovation and long-term business growth.

In this report, Instep UK’s specialists explain how organisations can:

• – Maximise levy value before funding expires
• – Reduce future workforce development costs
• – Build stronger leadership and technical capability
• – Develop future talent pipelines
• – Address skills shortages in priority sectors
• – Align workforce planning with strategic business goals

Whether you’re responsible for people strategy, workforce planning, learning and development, or organisational performance, this report provides the insights needed to make informed decisions about future investment in skills.

Who Should Read This?

• – HR Directors
• – Learning & Development Leaders
• – Chief People Officers
• – Operations Directors
• – Managing Directors
• – Talent & Workforce Planning Leaders
• – Public Sector Workforce Leaders
• – Levy-Paying Employers

What’s Inside?

Executive Summary

A clear overview of the most important changes and opportunities.

The UK Skills Challenge

Why workforce capability has become a board-level growth issue.

Foundation Apprenticeships

How employers can access incentives while building future talent pipelines.

Skills Flexibility & Apprenticeship Units

New approaches to faster, more targeted workforce development.

AI, Automation & The Future Workforce

How organisations can prepare employees for rapidly changing skills requirements.

Financial Impact of Waiting

The potential cost implications of delaying workforce development decisions.

Employer Action Plan

A practical framework to help organisations prepare for the new levy landscape.