Last week’s government announcement that Level 7 Senior Leader Apprenticeships will be phased out from January 2026 marks a fundamental shift in the UK skills landscape. It is a decision that threatens to undo years of progress for the agenda on inclusive leadership development, social mobility, and workforce transformation. While there may be space for reviewing how the levy is used, the removal of this strategic programme sends a disappointing message about the future of leadership development in the UK. It also starts the clock ticking for organisations to secure their leadership pipeline through the levy before the window closes.

But there is still time. Businesses have a critical window of opportunity over the next seven months to leverage the apprenticeship levy to upskill and develop their future leaders. The message is clear: don’t waste this moment. Now is the time to take advantage of the levy for the last time in order to boost your organisation’s leadership capabilities and in turn its growth and development potential.

What’s changing?

From 1 January 2026:

Government funding continues for new apprentices who are

• • Aged 16–21
  • Under 25 with an EHCP or who are care leavers
  • ❌ Funding ends for all new apprentices aged 22 and over

Apprentices who begin their programme on or before 31 December 2025 will remain fully funded through to completion.

Apprenticeships: A proven engine for transformation

At Ashridge, part of Hult International Business School, we have seen first-hand how the Level 7 Senior Leader Apprenticeship can transform not just careers, but lives. This isn’t a theoretical exercise—it’s a practical, evidence-backed program that helps leaders grow inside their own organisations.

Since launching our Level 7 programmes in 2018, we have worked with hundreds of clients across more than 25 sectors. The results speak volumes: 50% of our 2024 graduates report being promoted to a more senior role within three months of completing their apprenticeship. Even more importantly, 100% said their confidence as senior leaders had increased.

This is not just about climbing the career ladder. It’s about inclusive access to leadership. Nearly half of our learners are women, and within the NHS specifically, two-thirds of our senior apprentices are female. Moreover, 40% of NHS participants are from a BAME background, and 20% of all our learners have no prior degree. These programmes are pathways to opportunity for those who might otherwise be left behind.

Addressing the UK’s skills gap

The UK faces a persistent skills gap in leadership, strategy, and organisational change. Many talented individuals excel in their technical roles but struggle to transition into strategic leadership. The Level 7 apprenticeship was designed to bridge this divide, combining real-world projects with academic learning in areas like financial management, change leadership, and organisational behaviour.

As businesses navigate an increasingly volatile and complex environment, the need for strong, strategic leadership has never been greater. Yet phasing out the very tool that equips individuals to meet that challenge feels counterintuitive. At a time when the UK must compete globally, we risk disarming our leadership pipeline.

A second chance for many

One of the most overlooked aspects of the apprenticeship system is its ability to reach those for whom traditional higher education was inaccessible. Many of our learners are mature professionals balancing work, families, and other responsibilities. Some have undiagnosed learning needs such as dyslexia or ADHD, only discovered and supported through the programme. At Ashridge, 77% of our SEND learners achieve distinction at EPA—a powerful testament to what inclusive education can do when properly resourced.

This is about more than qualifications. It’s about self-discovery, resilience, and becoming the kind of leader who can authentically guide others through change.

~200 days to go: A call to business leaders

Between now and January 2026, the apprenticeship levy remains available for use on Level 7 Senior Leader programmes. Businesses who fail to take advantage of this final window are not just missing out—they are actively disadvantaging their future leadership pipeline and throwing away an opportunity to drive their organisation’s strategy and change plans through leadership development.

Here’s why acting now matters:

• No out-of-pocket training cost: Apprenticeship levy funds cover the full cost of our Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership & Management. For many companies, this represents an untapped budget for leadership development that they are already paying into. In a world when public spending is reducing, this really is a last chance opportunity to tap into this funding.

• Retention and loyalty: Employees who are invested in through high-quality development are more likely to stay and grow with the organisation. This helps organisations win in the war for talent. Recent analysis of our graduates from our fully funded Level 7 apprenticeship showed 75% stayed at their employing company for the duration of their master’s and remained there for an average of 1.4 years after graduation.

• Immediate business impact: Apprentices apply their learning directly to real business challenges, delivering measurable improvements during the programme. This provides a great way to get return on investment which has already been covered by the government. Our recent analysis showed an average of 1.2 promotions at work for apprentices who graduated from our fully funded Level 7 apprenticeship.

• Diversity and inclusion: This is one of the most effective tools available to promote equity in leadership development across gender, race and socioeconomic background.

Looking ahead

Let us be clear: the next few months are not a wind-down period. They are a moment of opportunity.

For business leaders, for leadership and development leaders, this is the last chance to use the levy to support aspiring leaders, foster inclusion, and strengthen their organisations for the future. Failing to act now is not just a missed opportunity. It is a strategic error.

The transformation is real. But the clock is ticking.

What can you do?

To secure full government funding:

• Apply now for a Level 7 apprenticeship starting before 31 December 202
• High demand is expected. Early action is strongly recommended.

How can Hult Apprenticeships at Ashridge help?

We’re working with our 100+ clients from diverse sectors and industries to help them maximise their leadership pipeline into next year and beyond.

We can:

• Help you navigate these changes
• Match training to your critical skills needs
• Help you plan for your leadership development beyond January 2026

What should your next step be?

Our experts are here to help. Get in touch today and we can guide you through your options.

Act now. Invest in your people. Build the leaders your organisation needs—before it’s too late.

Join Hari’s upcoming webinar:

Rethinking Your Organisation’s Skills Strategy Ahead of the Level 7 Phase-Out

Register For Hari’s Webinar Here

Get our Level 7 Program Flyer 

Find Out More About the Funding Cuts