The next 12 to 18 months will represent a transitional phase for the apprenticeship sector.
- DfE announced the Apprenticeship Assessment Principles in February 2025 to guide the redesign of apprenticeship assessment to better reflect the needs of employers and apprentices. These include reduced minimum duration, simplified assessment and English/Maths flexibility.
- New funding rules were also introduced in August 2025 for fixed minimum off-the-job (OTJ) training hours and clearer guidance on Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
- Skills England (in collaboration with DfE, Ofqual and OfS) is leading on the implementation of simplified apprenticeship assessment plans (AAPs) from September 2025, with revisions to all 650+ apprenticeship standards’ assessment plans expected to be completed by August 2026.
- New terminology: ‘apprenticeship assessment’ replaces ‘end-point assessment,’ and ‘assessment organisations’ replaces ‘EPAOs (end-point assessment organisations).’ A written agreement between providers and assessment organisations will be mandatory at the start of each reformed apprenticeship.
- Skills England has been testing the policy, content and guidance required for the new assessment plans, with 5 ‘test’ plans (Assistant Accountant, Adult Care Worker, Data Technician, Early Years Educator and Carpentry & Joinery). These 5 AAPs are due to be published in the ‘late autumn’ to ‘demonstrate the principles that will underpin revised assessment plans’ (but not live for use), alongside timeline information about upcoming batches of apprenticeship assessment planned for revision.
- DfE is developing a ‘Companion Document’ to be used in conjunction with the latest version of the apprenticeship funding rules. This document will help providers, assessment organisations, employers, regulatory bodies, and apprentices to understand and navigate the changes to assessment and how this aligns with the funding rules. It will include practical guidance and the roles and responsibilities for those delivering apprenticeship assessment. The document is due to be published in October with version 3 of the funding rules.
Roles and Responsibilities
Apprenticeship Assessment Organisations (AAOs):
- Develop assessment materials in accordance with AAP requirements and with adherence to Skills England and Ofqual design rules, to ensure the validity of outcomes. AAOs are required to include some synoptic assessment and independent assessment and will still play a key role in quality assurance and validation.
Employers:
- Work with assessment organisations to develop and agree suitable assessments.
- Verify that an apprentice’s behavioural competence, outlined in the occupational standard, has been demonstrated. This must be complete before a certificate can be requested. - Skills England is developing guidance for employers.
- At the time of writing, Skills England have stated that AAOs and providers are not required to quality assure employer judgements.
Providers:
- Where appropriate, a revised AAP may allow specific assessment elements to be undertaken by providers to take place on programme. Should assessment and marking occur on programme, AAOs are required by Ofqual to implement Centre Assessment Standards Scrutiny (CASS) to validate outcomes and ensure provider staff are appropriately trained.
Automotive Apprenticeships
Current Timelines
- Oct 25: DfE Apprenticeship Funding Rules (Version 3) and first draft ‘Companion Document’.
- Autumn 25: Skills England and DfE update on Apprenticeship Assessment due, including the publication ‘General Requirements’ guidance, 5 ‘test’ plans and a list of the first batch of apprenticeships to be revised.
- Autumn 25: Ofqual Technical Consultation for Regulatory Framework for Apprenticeship Assessment.
- Autumn 25: Updated DfE Apprenticeships Accountability Framework (AAF).
- January 2026: Level 7 Apprenticeship changes to funding.
- Spring 2026: Ofqual Regulatory Framework for Apprenticeship Assessment launch.
- August 2026: Skills England revisions to all assessment plans due to be completed.