The government is slashing more red tape to ensure businesses and
apprenticeship training providers are able to focus even more of
their time on apprentices, the Skills Minister announced today,
unlocking opportunity and driving growth under the government's
Plan for Change.
Reforms to the payment system have long been called for by
training providers. They will cut red tape by stopping the need
for providers to log the same data multiple times, saving
valuable time currently wasted on duplicating records, ensuring
consistency across systems.
The move comes during National Apprenticeship Week and will mean
training providers can focus on what matters most – breaking down
barriers to opportunity through helping apprentices to develop
their skills to enter well-paid careers and drive economic growth
in key sectors.
Today the government also announced changes to End Point
Assessments (EPAs), making the system simpler and more flexible
while ensuring apprentices prove their competence for skilled
work.
Where appropriate, apprentices will be assessed on some things
during their apprenticeship rather than all at the end, and
training providers may be able to deliver elements of the
assessment, rather than having to rely on external assessors.
The government is also ensuring apprentices don't have to be
re-tested on the same skills they have already demonstrated, such
as by taking a mandatory industry exam, to avoid wasting
apprentices' time.
This will deliver more timely assessments while retaining rigour,
and ensure that apprentices are assessed on what matters most to
employers, removing unnecessary burdens to career opportunities
and getting skilled workers into key industries to support
growth.
Skills Minister, Baroness , said:
“Employers and providers are burdened with needless red tape
which makes it harder to train and recruit apprentices.
“We have heard time and again from training providers,
apprentices and employers that this needs to change, and we are
determined to deliver this so they can focus on what they do best
– creating jobs and driving growth.
“Businesses should rest assured this National Apprenticeship Week
that this government is determined to work with them to make
apprenticeships work better, helping to grow the economy.”
Mike Blakeley, Executive Director of Partnerships &
Apprenticeships at Exeter College, said:
“Employer voice is very important to us here at Exeter College,
and being invited to contribute to shaping some of these changes
has allowed us to share concepts and ideas to make the learner
and employer journey on AS easier to navigate.
“We thank DfE for not only listening but actioning a range of
simplifications to the system that will ease the burden on
employers and providers alike. These measures will be welcomed
across the sector and will be a significant boost to an already
brilliant National Apprenticeship Week.”
Rob Nitsch, CEO of the Federation of Awarding Bodies
(FAB), said:
“Seven-years into apprenticeship standards, it is right and
natural that we should be stepping back to see how end-point
assessment can be optimised for the benefit of apprentices,
employers and those involved in delivery.
“The Federation welcomes the principles-based methodology that
the Department has proposed and the inclusive approach that has
been adopted; FAB and its members are pleased to have contributed
to the refinement of the principles already and look forward to
working with DfE and other stakeholders to take them forward to
the next stage and moving to implement the Review at pace.”
This builds on reforms announced
earlier in National Apprenticeship Week by the DfE. These
included shorter apprenticeships with the minimum time for
completion reduced to eight months, and making English and Maths
requirements for completing an apprenticeship more flexible to
boost recruitment in sectors like construction and healthcare.
Existing assessment plans will be rewritten on a
standard-by-standard basis to reflect these changes, with the
first plans being revised from April 2025.
ENDS
Notes to editors
- Further detail on implementation, including which assessment
plans will be revised and when, will follow in due course.
- Payment simplifications will come into effect from August
2026.
- New assessment principles for apprenticeships will be
published this week, and will be available here: https://help.apprenticeships.education.gov.uk/hc/en-gb/sections/4405114743698-National-Apprenticeship-Week-2025
- End Point Assessment Organisations (EPAOs) will continue to
be responsible for developing all assessment materials and
ensuring the validity of outcomes.
- Ofqual, OfS and the relevant industry bodies will continue to
regulate the quality and validity of the assessments undertaken.
Ofqual is reviewing its regulatory framework in support of these
changes.
