Apprenticeship reforms 2025/26

Skills England is the new government body leading skills policy in England. Launched in 2024, it oversees apprenticeship standards and ensures the system stays responsive to employer needs. It replaces the Institute for Apprenticeships & Technical Education (IfATE).

The Prime Minister has recently confirmed that Apprenticeships and Skills England has moved to the Department for Work and Pensions. Further details will be published when available.

End-Point Assessment (EPA) is now called “Apprenticeship Assessment”. Assessments may occur throughout the programme, with providers able to deliver some elements.

• English/maths flexibility for 19+ apprentices: February 2025.
• Shorter duration: 8-month minimum for new starts from 1 August 2025.
• Foundation Apprenticeships: August 2025.
• EPA reforms: Pilots under review, more details soon, awaiting final approval.
• Funding changes: Level 7 funding focuses on young people from January 2026.

Skills England and DfE are updating each assessment plan over time, we await further confirmation on the timeline but there are 5 assessment plans awaiting final approval. The standards are:

• Early Years Educator
• Adult Care Work
• Data Technician
• Assistant Accountant
• Carpentry and Joinery.

The reforms introduce “Apprenticeship Assessment” to replace End-Point Assessment (EPA).

Assessments can now take place throughout the programme, not just at the end. Plans are shorter, more flexible and focus on occupational competence. Employers have a greater role and verify behaviours, training providers can mark some assessments, with awarding organisations (AOs) moderating for reliability.

Skills England publishes and develops assessment plans, while Ofqual regulates awarding organisations to ensure validity and reliability. Employers, providers, and assessment organisations all have defined roles in shaping and delivering assessments.

Assessment plans now include:

• assessment details (principles, sampling, timing, marking)
• assessment of behaviours (employer verification)
• assessment outcomes (mapped to occupational standards)
• assessment requirements (specific priorities)
• performance descriptors (criteria for pass and higher grades).

Grading is simplified and designed to be clear, meaningful and proportionate to the occupation and assessment method. Performance descriptors outline what is required for a pass and any grades above pass.

Foundation Apprenticeships are new entry-level pathways for young people (typically 16–21, with some exceptions for care leavers and those with EHCPs up to 24). They combine workplace experience with off-the-job learning and offer incentives for completion.

English and maths are no longer mandatory for apprentices aged 19+ at the start of their apprenticeship. Requirements remain for younger learners, with study towards Level 1 or Level 2 as appropriate.

From January 2026, government funding for Level 7 apprenticeships will focus on young people aged 16–21, care leavers, and those with EHCPs under 25.

Apprentices who started before January 2026 will continue to be funded through to completion.

Ofqual’s new regulatory framework, post the outcomes of the consultation,  promotes consistency, validity, and reliability through principles-based design, moderation, and sampling. Engagement with stakeholders is ongoing to refine methods and ensure comparability.

• Policy consultation: June–August 2025.
• Technical consultation: Winter 2025.
• Final regulatory framework: Spring 2026.
• All standards revised by 2026, with updates released in tranches.

Current EPAs will continue under the existing framework until apprentices complete their assessments.

New apprenticeship assessment plans will be regulated through the new framework once published. Dual-running of legacy and new plans will occur during transition, currently we await further details.