Five of the programmes we deliver are on the list. If you have staff who would benefit, the time to enrol is now , before the September 2026 deadline hits.
The headline
From no earlier than 1 September 2026, these 16 standards will no longer be funded through the Growth and Skills Levy. If you want to use your levy on any of them, you need to get learners enrolled and on-programme before that door closes.
What's happening?
The Department for Work and Pensions, working through Skills England, has confirmed a list of 16 apprenticeship standards that will be withdrawn from funding. This was reported by FE Week on 15 March 2026.
This doesn't mean the qualifications disappear , it means government funding is being removed. Once defunded, employers won't be able to use their levy pot or access co-investment to pay for these programmes. They'd need to be fully self-funded, which for most organisations means they simply won't happen.
The full list
| Standard | Level | Funding Band |
|---|---|---|
| Team Leader We Deliver | Level 3 | £5,000 |
| Operations Manager We Deliver | Level 5 | £9,000 |
| Coaching Professional We Deliver | Level 5 | £5,000 |
| Chartered Manager | Level 6 | £22,000 |
| Lead Practitioner in Adult Care | Level 4 | £7,000 |
| Improvement Practitioner We Deliver | Level 4 | £6,000 |
| Security First Line Manager | Level 3 | £5,000 |
| Facilities Management Supervisor | Level 3 | £5,000 |
| Learning and Skills Mentor | Level 4 | £5,000 |
| Cleaning Hygiene Operative | Level 2 | £5,000 |
| Learning and Skills Assessor | Level 3 | £5,000 |
| Custody and Detention Professional | Level 3 | £4,500 |
| Professional Security Operative | Level 2 | £6,000 |
| Improvement Leader We Deliver | Level 6 | £15,000 |
| Public Sector Compliance Investigator | Level 3 | £4,000 |
| Outdoor Learning Specialist | Level 5 | £13,000 |
Why is this happening?
Skills England has been reviewing all apprenticeship standards as part of a broader push to ensure levy funding is directed toward areas of greatest economic need. Some of these standards are being replaced by newer versions , for example, the Team Leader L3 and Operations Manager L5 are expected to be superseded by updated management standards. The Coaching Professional L5, meanwhile, is being replaced by the new AI for Coaching Professionals (Level 4), which embeds CMI Level 5 Coaching & Mentoring alongside practical AI skills. Others are being removed because demand has been low or the skills are considered available through other routes.
The government's position is that this is about quality over quantity , focusing the levy on standards that deliver the strongest workforce outcomes. Whether you agree or not, the practical impact is the same: these programmes are going away.
Your timeline
Learners who are already on-programme before the deadline will be allowed to complete. But no new enrolments will be accepted after funding is withdrawn. That means the real deadline isn't September , it's the months before, when you need time to identify learners, complete paperwork, and get them started.
What this means for your team
If you've been thinking about developing your first-time managers, upskilling your operations leads, building a coaching culture, or embedding continuous improvement , this is your last chance to do it through funded apprenticeships on these specific standards.
The good news: some replacements are already available. For Coaching Professional L5, the AI for Coaching Professionals (Level 4) is ready now, delivering the same CMI Level 5 Coaching qualification plus AI skills, with £18,000 funding (compared to the old £5,000). For leadership programmes, TESS Group is delivering AI-powered alternatives: Data-Driven Team Leader Level 3 (replacing Team Leader L3) and AI for Operations Leaders Level 4 (replacing Operations Manager L5) , both at £18,000 each with superior funding and added AI capabilities.
For other standards, there's no guarantee that replacement standards will offer the same funding bands, the same content, or be available immediately. Some could take 12–18 months to be approved and ready for delivery. That's a long gap.
We're still enrolling , get your team started now
TESS Group is actively delivering all five of the affected programmes. We can get learners on-programme quickly, with flexible scheduling and bespoke delivery around your operations.
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Team Leader , Level 353% Distinction15 months • £5,000 fully funded
-
Operations Manager , Level 517 months • £9,000 fully funded
-
Coaching Professional , Level 546% Distinction14 months • £5,000 fully funded
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Improvement Practitioner , Level 4Lean Six Sigma15–18 months • £6,000 fully funded
-
Improvement Leader , Level 6CMI Chartered18 months • £15,000 fully funded
What should you do right now?
Also read: If you're managing your apprenticeship levy and want to understand all the changes coming in 2026 , including apprenticeship units, levy expiry rules, and 25% co-investment rates , see our complete guide to the Growth and Skills Levy changes.
1. Audit your team
Who in your organisation would benefit from a leadership qualification, coaching skills, or process improvement expertise? Make a list. Think about the people you've been meaning to develop but haven't got round to yet.
2. Check your levy balance
Log in to your Apprenticeship Service account and check what you've got available. Remember , levy funds expire after 12 months. If you don't use them, you lose them. This is your chance to put that money to work before both the levy pot and the funding window close.
3. Talk to us
We can walk you through the options, help you identify which programmes are right for your people, and get the enrolment process moving. We've done this hundreds of times , it's straightforward and we handle the admin.
Don't wait until it's too late
We're enrolling now on all five affected programmes. Reach out today and we'll help you get your team started before the deadline.
Related Reading
Frequently asked questions.
Which 16 apprenticeship standards are being defunded in 2026?
The 16 defunded standards from September 2026 include: Team Leader (L3), Operations Manager (L5), Coaching Professional (L5), Improvement Practitioner (L4), Improvement Leader (L6), and 11 others including Digital Marketer, Management Consultant, Space Operations Specialist, and others. The government has confirmed there is no replacement standard announced yet for most of these, meaning a significant gap in available funded options until new standards are approved.
When exactly does apprenticeship defunding happen?
No new enrolments will be accepted after 1 September 2026. However, the practical deadline is much sooner, June 2026, because the administrative process of identifying learners, completing eligibility checks, and getting contracts signed typically takes 6-8 weeks. Learners who are already enrolled and on-programme before 1 September 2026 will be allowed to complete their apprenticeships in full.
Which TESS Group programmes are affected by the defunding?
Five TESS Group programmes are affected: Team Leader (Level 3), Operations Manager (Level 5), Coaching Professional (Level 5), Improvement Practitioner (Level 4), and Improvement Leader (Level 6). All five are currently fully funded at a combined cost of £40,000 in annual delivery capacity across TESS's apprenticeship levy accounts. Recommended alternatives include Data-Driven Team Leader (L3) and AI for Operations Leaders (L4), which offer superior funding and AI capabilities.
What alternatives are available to replace the defunded apprenticeships?
TESS Group recommends: Data-Driven Team Leader Level 3 (replacing Team Leader L3), AI for Operations Leaders Level 4 (replacing Operations Manager L5), AI for Coaching Professionals Level 4 (replacing Coaching Professional L5). All offer up to £18,000 funding compared to the old standards' £5,000-£9,000, plus advanced AI and digital capabilities. For other standards, replacement options may not be available for 12-18 months.
Can I continue with existing apprentices after September 2026?
Yes. If your staff are already enrolled and on-programme before 1 September 2026, they will be allowed to complete their apprenticeship in full. Defunding only applies to new starts after the deadline. There is no impact on existing learners, so you can continue their development without interruption.