Navigating the apprenticeship assessment reforms

To better align with employer needs and increase flexibility, apprenticeship assessment processes are being updated from April 2025. These reforms include the timing of assessments, provider involvement, and a clarified role for employers in confirming apprentice behaviours. 

• Assessments can now take place during the apprenticeship programme, where appropriate. 

• Training providers may deliver specific assessment elements, with EPAOs validating outcomes. 
• Employers will confirm whether apprentices are demonstrating expected behaviours. 
• Updated Assessment Plans will roll out from April 2025 to better reflect sector needs. 
• 3 assessment plans have been approved by Skills England as illustrative examples of a revised assessment plan under the 2025/2026 apprenticeship assessment reforms: 
  • Assistant Accountant 
  • Data Technician 
  • Early Years Educator 
• Once Skills England’s General Requirements and Ofqual’s revised regulatory framework are published, implementation details, including when apprentices can start being assessed, will be shared. Until then, the current end-point assessment remains in place. For further information, please refer to the Department for Education’s support guidance.

Read the assessment reform guidance 

If you would like to deliver the Apprenticeship assessment centre assessment model, you must apply for NCFE approval.

Contact us to let us know you'd like to gain approval and we will support you through the process. 

Key changes to funding 

From August 2025, several changes to apprenticeship funding rules will come into effect:

• Shorter minimum duration: for new starts from 1 August 2025, the minimum duration has been reduced from 12 months to 8 months. 

• Simplified off-the-job training: providers no longer need to calculate off-the-job hours. A set minimum (for apprentices with no prior learning) will be published per standard. 

• Functional Skills flexibility: apprentices aged 19+ are no longer required to achieve English and maths qualifications. Participation is now optional. 

• Higher subcontracting threshold: the limit increases from £30,000 to £100,000, allowing providers to work with non-APAR subcontractors for contracts under this value. 

• Co-investment changes for SMEs: from 1 April 2025, the 5% employer contribution will no longer apply for non-levy employers hiring apprentices aged 16 to 21. Payments for April and May will be backdated in June. 

View full details on GOV.UK 

The minimum duration for apprenticeships has been reduced to 8 months from August 2025.

• The following standards have been updated to reflect a shorter typical duration to gateway:
• Level 2 Healthcare Support Worker (Health and Social Care) – 8 months
• Level 2 Dual Fuel Smart Meter Installer (Construction and Built Environment) – 8 months
• Level 3 Production Assistant – Screen and Audio (Creative and Design) – 9 months
• Level 6 Postgraduate Teacher (Education and Early Years) – 9 months

See the government’s latest announcement on shorter apprenticeships 

Foundation apprenticeships are a new training route for young people, usually aged 16–21, combining paid work with structured learning in priority sectors. They are shorter than standard apprenticeships and aim to give young people a fast track into technical careers.

Key points:

• Who can apply: primarily 16–21-year-olds (with some exceptions, as set out in DfE funding rules).
• Length: around 8 months (pending legislation that allows shorter apprenticeships).
• Learning requirements: at least 187 hours of off-the-job training.
• Approval needed: providers must have EPAO recognition before starting delivery.
• Employer incentive: up to £2,000 per apprentice, depending on retention and progression.

 Available foundation apprenticeships: -

Explore foundation apprenticeships on Skills England 

NCFE foundation apprenticeships

NCFE are pleased to announce that we have received Ofqual approval for the following foundation apprenticeships.

• Software and data foundation apprenticeship
• Health and social care foundation apprenticeship

We are developing our assessment strategy and will be sharing further details in the coming months. This will include our approach, pricing, guidance, and the support we’ll provide.

Speak to a member of our team about our foundation apprenticeships.

The government is refocusing investment towards young people at the start of their working lives, rather than those already in work with higher levels of prior learning and qualifications.

From 1 January 2026, Level 7 apprenticeships will be government-funded for young people aged 16-21, and under 25 for care leavers and those with an EHCP at the start of their apprenticeship in England.Apprentices who started a level 7 apprenticeship before 1 January 2026 will continue to be funded through to completion.

• As part of the government’s 10-Year health plan for England level 7 apprenticeships in five health professions will continue to be funded until 2028-29.
• The professions are advanced clinical practitioner, specialist community public health nurse, district nurse, clinical associate in psychology, and population health intelligence specialists.

Find out more about Level 7 apprenticeships