• 21+ (National Living Wage): £12.71/hr
• 18–20: £10.85/hr
• 16–17: £8.00/hr

This uplift improves financial viability for apprenticeships but will require employers to adjust budgets accordingly.

• Act quickly: Review your levy balance and pipeline, funds will expire in 12 months from August 26.
• Plan for wage increases: Budget for the April 2026 minimum wage uplift if relevant.
• Leverage Youth Guarantee: Engage with programmes that connect you to young talent.
• Stay informed: Prepare for streamlined standards and apprenticeship units from 2026.

Futureproofing Financial Services: Utilise Apprenticeships to Upskill your Workforce

Join us for an exclusive webinar designed to help you take advantage of our Level 4 Financial Planner and Level 4 Paraplanner Apprenticeships — already delivering results for financial services firms nationwide.

Our next cohort begins January 2026, and this session will show you how these programmes can strengthen your team and support career progression with a fully funded, future-focused solution.

Sign up here.

Bite-Sized CII Workshops

Every month, our expert CII tutors deliver a wide range of interactive live workshops that help learners tackle the most challenging topics in insurance and financial services chapter by chapter. We are pleased to be able to offer these workshops to all learners whether they are on an apprenticeship or self-studying their exams!

These sessions focus on the learning outcomes that matter most, giving your team the confidence and clarity they need ahead of their professional qualification exams. If you’d like to find out more about our Bite-Sized Workshops,  click here.

For Apprentices

Relevant workshops are built into our apprenticeship programmes. Make sure your apprentices are booking their sessions via Thrive to benefit from this targeted revision support.

For Self-Studying Employees

Learners who aren’t on an apprenticeship can still access these workshops by booking directly through our website. Click here to see upcoming dates and feel free to share the link or QR code.

Financial Services Exam Support Workshops

Only two financial services exams workshop dates are left in 2025 before we dive into 2026! If your team members are preparing for the R04 or R05 exam, our tutor-led Zoom workshops offer expert guidance to master key learning outcomes and tackle exam questions with confidence.

Delivered using award-winning materials, we simplify complex concepts and bring the subjects to life. Spaces are limited so act fast and share the below with your learners to book on today.

By promoting these workshops internally, you’re helping your people feel better prepared, more supported, and ready to succeed.

*All workshop dates are subject to change due to the number of registered attendees*

Davies’ Path to Success (PTS) Workshops for learners and Live Ask the Expert (ATE) Webinars focus on power skills and transferable skills such as:

• Becoming more efficient through time management
• Breaking down exam questions
• Becoming you

Path to Success sessions run on three Fridays each month and support learner development above and beyond the professional qualification. They can also be included as additional off-the-job time for the apprenticeship programme. If you would like to know more, please reach out to DLSworkshops@davies-group.com.

Your learners can sign up here for Ask the Expert Live Sessions and Path to Success Sessions.

What if apprenticeships aren’t right for you?

Here at Davies, we offer a variety of flexible commercial programmes ranging from guided study programmes to self-study resources, meaning you can be sure we have a solution to suit you!

• Study Buddy: Mobile revision app to support preparations for sitting CII exams
• Study Solutions: A self-study alternative to achieve professional qualifications
• Workshops & Academies: Tutor-led sessions and structured qualification journeys

Building a Future-Proof Workforce

We work with you to:

• Identify the right pathways and qualifications
• Align learning with your business goals
• Provide data-driven insights to track progress and impact

Whether you’re launching a new early careers programme or scaling an existing one, Davies is your strategic partner in talent development. We don’t just deliver training—we help shape the future of your workforce. Let’s start planning your 2026 early careers strategy today.

Get in touch: learning@davies-group.com

Meet Kiki – Your Learners’ New Digital Companion

Developed in collaboration with Thrive, Kiki is our brand-new AI virtual assistant, created to elevate the digital learning journey. Whether its answering technical questions, helping users navigate the platform, or finding relevant content, Kiki is here to provide instant, intelligent support.

Kiki is still in beta—and we need some help to find her a new name. One lucky learner will get the chance to rename Kiki and leave their mark on the future of learning so make sure your learners get involved!

Introducing Copilot – Smart Support for Smarter Work

We’re also excited to announce the rollout of Copilot, a powerful AI assistant designed to streamline processes and enhance learning outcomes across our programmes. Copilot will support:

• Administrative efficiency – Summarising meeting notes and action points
• Consistent feedback and marking – Maintaining quality and fairness
• Improved written communication – Supporting spelling, grammar, and structure
• Personalised learner feedback – Helping coaches tailor responses
• Enhanced learner engagement – Generating personalised prompts and content
• Creative planning support – Aiding idea generation and theme identification

Copilot is a supportive tool, not a replacement for human interaction. Coaches and tutors will continue to provide the same personalised care and guidance, with Copilot working quietly in the background to make things smoother and smarter.

Our Commitment to Ethical AI Use

At Davies, we’re committed to using AI responsibly. Our approach is guided by principles of transparency, fairness, and privacy and led by our Chief AI Officer. We never use AI to replace human judgment in grading or feedback, and we ensure all data is protected under our compliance frameworks.

If you have questions or concerns about how AI is being used, please speak to your dedicated success manager. We’re here to listen and ensure technology supports, not replaces, the human connection in learning.

This decision follows consultation with industry bodies including the LMA and LMG where there has been reflection on the relatively low uptake of M21 among learners, indicating it is not a core part of most qualification pathways.

The CII has already contacted students currently enrolled in M21, and further information is available on their FAQ webpage.

If your teams are affected or have questions about alternative study options, please reach out to your success manager contact visit the CII website for more details.

New Grading Scales

A new 5-point grading scale to replace the old 4-point grading scale:

Greater Focus on Inclusion

Inspectors will now assess how barriers are identified and removed and make sure that support raises learner outcomes rather than lowers expectations. There will be a particular focus on:

• Learners with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
• Disadvantaged learners
• Those known to social care or youth justice
• Registered carers

Increased Focus on Safeguarding

Safeguarding moves to the top of the framework with key expectations being:

• A positive safeguarding culture
• Staff confidence and training
• Effective multi-agency working
• Robust systems for safer recruitment and the Prevent Duty

Tips for Employers

As an employer, there is nothing drastically new that you need to be doing, but here are some tips on how to continue contributing to your learner’s success.

1. Use your skills and expertise to shape your learner’s journey
2. Support your learners through mentoring and providing opportunities for development
3. Offer career guidance to support knowledge of progression routes
4. Promote continuous improvement and professional development opportunities
5. Speak to us – the more we work together, the better the outcomes for everyone involved

If you have any other questions or want to know more, please feel free to get in touch with your Client Success Manager.

With major policy announcements, funding reforms, and new initiatives coming thick and fast, there is a lot to consider as we support you with planning for 2026 and beyond. The recent release of the government’s Post-16 Education and Skills Whitepaper marks a significant milestone, introducing over 120 measures aimed at reshaping post-school education in England.

While much of the focus is on the 16–19 and higher education phases, there are several key developments that directly impact employers involved in apprenticeships and workforce development.

Working with Employers to Drive Growth and Opportunity

The whitepaper places employers at the heart of the skills system, reinforcing the government’s commitment to employer-led education and training. The goal is clear: ensure that skills provision is better aligned with real labour market needs. Employers will have a greater say in shaping future training pathways, supported by new funding models and targeted investment.

Growth and Skills Levy – What You Need to Know

From 2026, the current apprenticeship levy will transition into the Growth and Skills Levy, offering more flexibility through modular apprenticeship units alongside traditional apprenticeships. These units will initially focus on AI, digital, and engineering, using content already embedded in existing standards. The use of “initially” suggests further expansion is likely, potentially into other sectors or non-apprenticeship training options from Autumn 2026.

Foundation Apprenticeships and Sector Skills Packages

To support young people and those Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET), the government are rolling out Foundation Apprenticeships, designed to provide accessible entry points into the workforce.

In parallel, Sector Skills Packages will channel major investment into priority industries, backed by the creation of Technical Excellence Colleges, specialist institutions focused on delivering high-quality vocational training.

What This Means for You

As an employer, these reforms present both opportunities and responsibilities. The shift toward modular apprenticeships and targeted investment in priority sectors could help you upskill your workforce more efficiently.

If you have questions or would like to explore how these changes might impact your apprenticeship strategy, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

  Craig Potter