Apprenticeship units are becoming one of the most significant changes to the UK skills system in years, giving employers a flexible way to upskill staff without committing to a full, long‑duration apprenticeship. From 2026, these short, modular courses will be fundable through the Growth and Skills Levy, opening the door for rapid, targeted workforce development, especially in fast‑moving areas like AI.
Apprenticeship units are formally recognised, short training modules extracted from existing apprenticeship standards. They are designed to give learners the ability to gain specific, job‑relevant skills without completing the entire apprenticeship. They are:
This shift reflects a broader government strategy to make levy funding more adaptable and responsive to emerging skills gaps, particularly in digital and AI‑driven roles.
The Growth and Skills Levy, part of the government’s 2026 apprenticeship reforms, will allow levy‑paying employers to spend their funds on these short, modular apprenticeship units. This is a major change from the previous system, where levy funds could only be used for full apprenticeship programmes.
Key funding features include:
This model is particularly valuable for organisations facing urgent AI, data, or digital skills shortages.
Velocity Academy will be delivering the Artificial Intelligence Essentials for Business Leaders apprenticeship unit as part of our specialist AI portfolio. This unit is designed for organisations that need to rapidly build AI literacy and capability across their leadership and operational teams.
The unit focuses on:
Because apprenticeship units are short and focused, this programme is ideal for upskilling existing staff in AI without requiring them to enrol onto a long‑term apprenticeship. It gives teams the essential grounding they need to start using AI effectively in their day‑to‑day roles.
For organisations planning a broader AI transformation, the Artificial Intelligence Essentials for Business Leaders unit can act as a perfect entry point before progressing to a more comprehensive programme.
Velocity Academy also offers the Level 4 Artificial Intelligence & Automation Practitioner Apprenticeship, which provides:
Many employers will choose to start with the shorter AI Essentials unit to build foundational understanding, then progress selected staff into the Level 4 programme for deeper technical capability.
The combination of apprenticeship units and the Growth and Skills Levy gives employers a new level of agility in workforce development:
This model empowers organisations to respond to technological change at the pace required, something traditional training routes have struggled to match.
Velocity Academy specialises in technology, AI, and management apprenticeships, and this focus has positioned us as a trusted partner for some of the largest and most respected workforces in England. Our programmes are built around in‑demand digital capabilities, practical application, and employer‑led curriculum design, ensuring that learners gain skills that translate directly into organisational impact.
We are proud to deliver training to organisations across the public and private sectors, including the NHS, local councils, government departments, and major employers such as JCB, Capita, and many others. These partnerships reflect the confidence that leading organisations place in our ability to develop talent, strengthen digital capability, and support long‑term workforce transformation.
As apprenticeship units and AI‑focused programmes become central to the UK’s skills strategy, Velocity Academy continues to provide the expertise, innovation, and industry relevance needed to help employers build a future‑ready workforce.
I have loved every part of my Marketing apprenticeship with Velocity Academy. Paired with hands on experience at JCB, a leading construction and agricultural equipment manufacture and the outmatched guidance from the Velocity team, I achieved a distinction for this course.
We have chosen to continue, and expand, our partnership with Velocity Academy due to outstanding working relationship we’ve built together. From the very beginning, Velocity have shown exceptional flexibility in accommodating our evolving requirements, often going above and beyond to tailor their delivery to our operational needs, always putting the wellbeing of the learners first. Velocity Academy have delivered consistent quality in both teaching and customer services (namely Lee and Emma) making them a trusted partner in delivering apprenticeships to our employees.
My experience with Graham at Velocity Academy has been nothing short of exceptional. His professionalism, expertise, and commitment to finding the right apprentices have been very impressive.
Once the candidates were selected, the transition to getting them on board was remarkably quick and seamless. Graham efficiently handled all the necessary paperwork and administrative tasks, making the onboarding process hassle-free.
I would recommend their services to anyone in search of apprentices who will make a positive impact on their business. Our apprentices are excelling in their roles and continuously developing their skills.
Velocity Academy sourced a fantastic Apprentice Developer on our behalf and we couldn’t have been happier with the service. Regular check-ins, guidance and support from the start and genuine care were put into the recruitment process from Velocity, which meant they came up trumps with a cracking candidate. They have been outstanding. Thanks Velocity!
