Standards have been defunded. But your options haven't run out
From 1 September 2026, government funding ends for sixteen apprenticeship standards, including Team Leader, Operations Manager, Coaching Professional and Chartered Manager.
If your organisation has learners on these programmes, or planned to enrol, get in touch now. Earlier conversations mean more options.
ioda are helping us to produce better more inclusive leaders for today and for the future.
Aaron Reid, Sustainable Supply Chain Manager
Our team will respond within 1 working day.
Trusted by leading UK organisations for over 29 years
We may be able to help, and we'd like to find out
We're not going to make promises we can't keep. What we will say is that ioda has been developing leaders for over 25 years, we hold CMI Strategic Partner status, and we're actively exploring what's available for employers affected by these changes.
If you get in touch, we'll have a genuine conversation about:
- What your organisation needs and who your learners are
- Whether we have provision that may be suitable – including any levy-funded options
- What alternatives could deliver the same outcomes for your managers and leaders
- How to make the most of your levy before the September deadline.
There's no obligation, no hard sell – just an honest conversation with people who know this space inside out.
Drive Positive Change With Equality, Diversity And Inclusion Training
Inclusion isn't just about compliance, it's creating a positive, respectful culture that empowers people and strengthens your organisation.
ioda’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion training goes beyond theory. Our expert team designs and delivers practical, realistic workshops tailored to your organisation’s culture, goals and challenges.
We help you embed lasting cultural change, improve team cohesion and strengthen your employer brand, all while building a genuinely inclusive workplace for everyone.
In addition to our training in Management & Leadership and EDI, we offer a range of specialist services designed to unlock your team’s potential, drive performance, and support your organisation on a global scale.
Our experienced coaches work with individuals to accelerate development, combining practical insight with personal discovery to overcome challenges and unlock true leadership potential.
Executive Coaching
From communication to emotional intelligence, our tailored workshops are built around your people. Designed to help teams grow stronger, work smarter, and perform at their best.
Personal & Team Development
We support justice sector reform in post-conflict and complex regions, providing expert consultancy to strengthen leadership, improve systems, and build sustainable local capacity.
International Development
More Ways We Can Support Your Organisation
Ready To Build A Future-Ready Workforce?
Book a free, no-obligation consultation with our expert team. We’ll explore your goals and discuss any questions you have about our training.
What Our Clients Say
Balfour Beatty started working with ioda in 2018 providing us with training and consultancy. Lisa from ioda helped our people with inclusive leadership, her approach focusses on supporting people with how to think not telling them what to think, creating a safe environment for people to examine their current thinking and providing new models for them to apply in real life scenarios. ioda are helping us to produce better more inclusive leaders for today and for the future.
Aaron Reid, Sustainable Supply Chain Manager
Why Organisations Choose ioda
We’re more than a training provider, we’re a partner. For over 29 years, ioda has helped organisations across every sector grow stronger leaders and more inclusive cultures. We design every programme to fit your business, your people, and your goals.
100% Success Rate
On our Management Apprenticeships.
Bespoke & Flexible
Supporting organisations of any size.
Fully Accredited
By CMI, ILM, and City & Guilds.
29 Years
Helping leaders and teams thrive.
Save Up To 95% On Training Costs
With The Growth and Skills Levy
The Growth and Skills Levy (formerly the Apprenticeship Levy) is a government scheme that helps employers fund staff training:
If your business has a payroll over £3 million per year: You already pay into the Levy through your PAYE bill. You can use those existing funds to cover 100% of the cost of our apprenticeship-based leadership programmes, with no extra spend.
If your payroll is under £3 million per year: You don’t pay into the Levy, but you can still access government funding. You’ll only pay 5% of the training cost, and the government will cover the remaining 95%.
Save Up To 95% On Training Costs
With The Apprenticeship Levy
The Apprenticeship Levy is a government scheme that helps employers fund staff training:
If your business has a payroll over £3 million per year: You already pay into the Apprenticeship Levy through your PAYE bill. You can use those existing funds to cover 100% of the cost of our apprenticeship-based leadership programmes, with no extra spend.
If your payroll is under £3 million per year: You don’t pay into the Levy, but you can still access government funding. You’ll only pay 5% of the training cost, and the government will cover the remaining 95%.
What makes ioda different
Expert-led training
We don’t do boring. Our facilitators bring energy, insight, and real-world experience to every session.
We don’t do boring. Our facilitators bring energy, insight, and real-world experience to every session.
Bespoke, flexible delivery
We offer online, in-person or blended formats that work around your business needs.
We offer online, in-person or blended formats that work around your business needs.
We live your business
We take the time to understand your culture, goals and challenges to create a solution tailored to you..
We take the time to understand your culture, goals and challenges to create a solution tailored to you..
Ready To Build A Future-Ready Workforce?
Book a free, no-obligation consultation with our expert team. We’ll explore your goals and discuss any questions you have about our training.
© 2025 IODA Ltd
Will I lose my levy funding if my standard is defunded?
Not necessarily. Your apprenticeship levy doesn't disappear – but how and where you can spend it will change. It's worth speaking to us about what alternatives may exist before you make any decisions.
Can existing learners continue their programme?
Learners already on a defunded standard will typically be able to complete their programme. It's new enrolments that are affected. If you have planned cohorts, time is a factor – get in touch and we can talk through your situation.
What alternatives are available?
We'd rather discuss this with you directly than make broad claims online. Every organisation is different. Get in touch and we'll be honest about what we have and whether it's a good fit.
When do I need to act?
Defunding takes effect from 1 September 2026, so there's a window – but it won't stay open indefinitely. If you have learners you'd like to enrol under existing or alternative standards, starting the conversation now gives you the most options.
Defunding FAQs