April - September 2026
The National Apprenticeship Hub Network (NAHN) brings together about 25 organisation that offer local brokerage services to engage mainly with SMEs. These hubs are locally-based brokerage services that are primarily managed and/ or funded by local and combined authorities that have evolved out of necessity to deliver local authority and labour market priorities. Across England they provide free and impartial information, advice and guidance to businesses, predominantly SMEs, to champion and stimulate the growth of apprenticeships in their local area (see Edge’s Agents of Change report, 2025).
This research will be conducted to study 5-6 apprenticeship brokerage services as case studies across England’s NAHN. The final research will encompass all case studies and will reflect on similarities and differences, what works well and where there is room to extend the work of the hub. It will also reflect on internal and external levers and barriers to effective working.
The research will take a qualitative approach by carrying out semi-structured interviews with a range of stakeholders associated with the chosen case study hubs.
