Onefile supports CMI call to protect levy funding for management apprenticeships

Onefile has signed a petition by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) that calls on the Government to protect choice in management training to drive UK growth and youth employment. 

The UK cannot grow without skilled managers and leaders, urges CMI. ‘As the Government’s work to transition to the Growth and Skills Levy gathers pace, we urgently ask Ministers to protect the full suite of management apprenticeships and expand employer choice through new, flexible short courses,’ it says. 

The Government announced in 2025 that it would change how Level 7 apprenticeships were paid for, and this meant cutting funding for programmes such as CMI’s Senior Leader Apprenticeship from 1st January. The move supported the shift in focus by Ministers onto funding apprenticeships for younger people, and those at levels 2 to 5.  

CMI launched its petition amid concerns that funding would be cut for other levels of management apprenticeships as part of a streamlining of industry areas receiving the levy. The petition highlights the importance of increasing management skills to helping the UK bridge its productivity gap. Skilled managers support the training of young people in the workforce, says CMI. 

Onefile has worked with employers for the last 20 years, and we believe they are best placed to decide how to use levy funding in their organisations. They understand better than anyone how to generate short- and longer-term productivity and growth, and the effectiveness of every skill, whether functional or one that is core to leadership and management. Any moves to restrict choice would be counter-productive, in our view. 

We see day in, day out the role skilled managers play in the learning and development of co-workers. They have this impact because they themselves have been trained to help and nurture others. Investment in learning at all levels gives people, and the organisations they work for, the best chance to grow and develop, and competent managers with the right skills will continue to be central in helping organisations become more productive. 

We operate today in a dynamic, ever-changing market and our customers want certainty with funding so they can plan ahead. This includes funding for learning in those key management roles.  So, Onefile supports the call by CMI for the Government to work with employers to retain all current management apprenticeship pathways alongside the new flexible short courses. Such a collaboration will help ensure the UK can equip its managers with the tools they need to drive productivity and create new opportunities for the next generation.