A new year always brings a moment to pause, reflect, and look ahead. As we step into 2026, it feels right to take stock of what has been achieved, not just in numbers, but in people, progress, and potential.
Because behind every statistic is a learner building confidence, an employer strengthening their team, and a child benefiting from skilled, committed early years professionals.
Here’s what the past year tells us, and why it matters for the year ahead.
A year of real impact
Over the past year, Shaping Lives has continued to support learners and employers across early years and beyond, helping people develop new skills, grow in confidence, and move forward in their careers.
- 1,928 learners supported
- 778 employers supported
These numbers represent partnerships, conversations, and shared commitment to developing people and strengthening workforces.
As we move into 2026, this scale of support gives us a strong foundation to build on.
Confidence, satisfaction, and performance
Learning only makes a difference when it feels meaningful, supportive, and relevant. This year’s results show that learners and employers felt exactly that.
- 88 percent learner satisfaction
- 100 percent employer satisfaction
- 95 percent said learning helped them perform their job better
- 77 percent made suggestions that improved their business
These outcomes show learning turning into action, confidence turning into contribution, and development making a visible difference in the workplace.
That is the energy we carry into the year ahead.
Supporting progression and opportunity
Access to opportunity matters. This year, Shaping Lives helped employers make the most of levy funding and supported learners into training that opens doors.
- £16 million in levy funds raised
- 5,830 learners supported through levy funding
- 412 learners recruited through our free recruitment service
These figures highlight the role apprenticeships play in creating accessible, supported routes into learning and work, something that will be even more important as we look to 2026 and beyond.
Inclusion, diversity, and community impact
Strong early years workforces reflect the communities they serve. This year:
- 22 percent of learners came from ethnically diverse backgrounds
This matters, not just for representation, but for inclusion, understanding, and the positive impact diverse teams have on children, families, and communities.
As we look ahead, continuing to widen access and support diverse talent remains a priority.
What this means for 2026
These numbers are not an end point, they are a starting point.
They show that when learners feel supported, they grow in confidence.
When employers feel supported, teams become stronger.
When development is done well, everyone benefits, especially children in their earliest years.
As we step into 2026, Shaping Lives remains focused on doing more of what works, supporting more learners, strengthening more teams, and continuing to shape brighter futures through high quality apprenticeships.
Because shaping lives is not just about looking back.
It is about building forward.
