Significant announcements have recently been made by the Government regarding the future of apprenticeship funding. According to FE Week (15 March 2026), the Government is planning to withdraw funding for 16 apprenticeship standards no earlier than 1 September 2026.
While details are still being finalised, the early confirmations indicate that several of these standards sit within Linden’s current delivery portfolio — including some of our most popular leadership programmes.
As your trusted apprenticeship partner, we want to ensure you are fully informed and prepared ahead of these changes.
Which Apprenticeships Are Being Defunded?
The following 16 standards have been identified for withdrawal (FE Week, March 2026):
Chartered Manager – Level 6
Lead Practitioner in Adult Care – Level 4
Improvement Practitioner – Level 4
Security First Line Manager – Level 3
Facilities Management Supervisor – Level 3
Cleaning Hygiene Operative – Level 2
Learning and Skills Assessor – Level 3
Custody and Detention Professional – Level 3
Professional Security Operative – Level 2
Improvement Leader – Level 6
Public Sector Compliance Investigator and Officer – Level 3
Outdoor Learning Specialist – Level 5
Those highlighted in blue sit within Linden’s current apprenticeship provision.
Once funding is withdrawn, these standards will no longer be available through the Growth & Skills Levy.
What This Means for our Employers
If you have colleagues who would benefit from any of the affected qualifications, opportunities to enrol them will soon become more limited. Linden is aiming to support as many new apprenticeship starts as possible before the changes take effect later in 2026.
Our approach remains unchanged:
✔ Right learner
✔ Right apprenticeship
✔ Right time
We continue to commit to high-quality training that drives real workforce impact.
To help us plan effectively, we would really value your insight into potential learner numbers you may wish to prioritise before the new rules come into effect- arrange a meeting with our friendly team today to discuss your requirements.
How Linden Is Supporting You
Our team is already working on:
Alternative apprenticeship pathways
New professional development and upskilling options
Recommendations customised to your organisational needs
Solutions to ensure continuity of leadership development
We are here to help you navigate these changes smoothly and confidently.
Next Steps: Let’s Plan Ahead Together
We would welcome the chance to arrange a short strategy meeting to:
Discuss the implications for your workforce plans
Identify any urgent apprenticeship starts
Explore alternative 2026+ training solutions
Protect your talent and leadership pipelines
Thank you, as always, for your partnership, trust, and collaboration. Linden will continue to guide you with clarity, transparency and the high-quality support you expect.
#TeamLinden | #Apprenticeships
Share this post: