Policy changes in apprenticeships – what does it mean for industry?

In February 2025, during National Apprenticeship Week, the UK government introduced several significant updates to the delivery and assessment of apprenticeships in England. The Department for Education (DfE) says these changes aim to enhance accessibility, streamline processes, and address skills shortages across various sectors.

Below is a summary of the key announcements: 

Changes to English and Maths Requirements 

For Apprentices Aged 19 and Over: The requirement to hold or achieve formal English and maths qualifications prior to end point assessment (EPA) has been removed. Funding is still available – at the same rate – for adult apprentices to study and achieve the relevant Functional Skills qualifications. However this is now optional, rather than mandatory, and employers and providers have until 1 April 2025 to adjust training plans for current adult apprentices accordingly.  

For Apprentices Aged 16 to 18: The existing mandate to achieve English and maths qualifications remains in place to support their career progression. 

Evidence shows that maths and English have been a barrier to both access and achievement of apprenticeships, so this change will likely see an increase in registrations and achievements. However, it is important that there is still a focus on English and maths in apprenticeship provision. What this looks like will hopefully be made clear once further detail is added to the initial announcements.  

Revised Apprenticeship Assessment Principles 

Writing as an EPAO – this is the big one! New assessment principles have been introduced to make the apprenticeship assessment process more flexible and efficient. Key changes include: 

• Proportional Assessment: Ensuring assessments are commensurate with the competencies being tested, eliminating unnecessary duplication. 
• On-Programme Assessment: Allowing certain assessments to occur during the training period rather than exclusively at the end. 
• Training provider Involvement: Permitting training providers to deliver elements of the assessment where appropriate, with the responsibility for quality assurance still resting with the EPAO. 

These adjustments will be applied to all apprenticeship levels, with revised assessment plans being implemented on a standard-by-standard basis, starting from April 2025. It has been proposed that the new assessment plans will be less detailed, with the aim to reduce them to around two pages long. As a comparative example, the current Level 3 Business Administrator standard is ten pages. This will require – one assumes – the need to get employers, training providers, EPAOs and other key stakeholders back around the table to ensure the outcome – a quality and valid assessment process, leading to a more skilled workforce – is not devalued as an unintended consequence of these changes.  

Shorter Apprenticeships 

The DfE will reduce the minimum duration of certain apprenticeships from 12 months to 8 months, effective August 2025 (subject to legislative approval). This change is particularly beneficial for: 

• Individuals with Prior Learning: Allowing those with significant relevant experience to achieve certification more quickly. 
• Specific Sectors: Enabling faster qualification in industries where full competence can be attained in a shorter timeframe. 

It is vital that these reduced timeframes do not lead to reduced quality of apprenticeship delivery and assessment.  

Simplification of Payment Processes 

To reduce administrative burden, the DfE announced plans to streamline the payment process for apprenticeship training providers. Starting in August 2025, the requirement for submitting overlapping data via both the Individualised Learner Record (ILR) and the Apprenticeship Service account will be removed. This change aims to improve cash flow, minimise payment delays, and enhance data accuracy for providers. 

Conclusion 

These reforms represent a clear direction of travel from the current government – to reduce red tape and grow the number of apprenticeships on programme and achieving.  

What is clear, is that EPA is here to stay. As always, the devil is in the detail in terms of exactly what that looks like as new assessment plans are developed.  

If you are a training provider or college looking for a high-quality focused, supportive and adaptable EPAO, please get in touch with EFI Awards to see what we have to offer.