Apprenticeship assessment reforms | NCFE

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Navigating the apprenticeship assessment reforms

Skills England and the UK Government are implementing phased apprenticeship assessment reforms throughout 2026. We know change can feel challenging, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. This page brings you: 

  • clear summaries of the latest reforms 
  • direct links to official government guidance 
  • ongoing updates as new details are released. 

As your partner in awarding and assessment, we’re here to help you navigate these changes with confidence. Our experts can guide you through the reforms, answer your questions, and work with you to adapt smoothly and make the most of what’s ahead. 

Check back regularly for updates or book a consultation with our team today to explore how we can support you. 

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Latest update

March 2026: 
Apprenticeship streamlining 

On 16 March, the Government has confirmed that 16 apprenticeship standards will no longer be funded from 1 September 2026. This forms part of plans to refocus apprenticeship funding towards young people and prioritise skills that align with its industrial strategy.

As these updates are still evolving, providers should refer directly to official Skills England, DfE and DWP updates for details of transition arrangements and approaches to managing new starts. 

We understand these changes will have a significant impact on many providers.  We want to reassure you of our continued commitment to supporting all current apprentices. Our teams stand ready to work in close collaboration with providers to ensure continuity, identify and develop future pathways, and shape provision that responds to evolving sector priorities. 

New apprenticeship products 

The announcement brings new opportunities for providers to diversify and strengthen their offer, including: 

  • the introduction of the first seven apprenticeship units, forming part of a more flexible, modular system designed to support shorter, targeted skills development
  • new foundation apprenticeships will launch in sectors such as hospitality and retail, tailored to help 16–21-year-olds enter the workforce with structured support and early career pathways.   
New financial incentives for employers 

 As part of the Government’s Youth Guarantee, there’s new financial incentives designed to encourage employer engagement, strengthen pathways for young people, and stimulate demand:  

  • Youth Jobs Grant: employers receive £3,000 for each eligible 18–24-year-old they hire from Universal Credit into sustained work. 
  • Expansion of the Jobs Guarantee to a wider age range, from 18-21 to 18-24, to create more than 35,000 extra subsidised jobs. 
  • SME apprenticeship incentive: SMEs can claim £2,000 for every apprentice aged 16–24 they take on. 
  • Foundation apprenticeship employer incentive: employers supporting 16–21-year-olds through foundation apprenticeships can access up to £2,000.  
 An update on the implementation of assessment reforms 

Skills England continue their work to implement apprenticeship assessment reforms throughout 2026 and has released the latest Revisions and Adjustments Status Report for March 2026. Here are the most recent developments: 

  • Work has now been completed on 32 apprenticeship standards, including:
    • Dental Nurse v2.0 which will go live for starts from 25 March 2026
    • Adult Care Worker v2.0, which will go live for starts from 27 May 2026, featuring the Adult Social Care Certificate as a mandatory qualification and the removal of further apprentice assessment. 
  • 49 additional standards have been added to Skills England’s work in progress list, including Customer Service Practitioner and Outdoor Activity Instructor. 
  • There’s now a total of 210 live apprenticeship standards in the process of being revised, under the 2025/2026 assessment reforms. 
  • Business Administrator 
  • Adult Care Worker 
  • Early Intervention Practitioner 
  • Lead Adult Care Worker 
  • Leader in Adult care 
  • Data Analyst 
  • Data Technician 
  • Early Years educator 
  • Dental Nurse 
  • Customer Service Practitioner 
  • Customer Service Specialist 
  • Leisure Duty Manager 
  • Outdoor Activity Instructor

These updates form part of a longer-term programme to simplify assessment, reduce burden, and ensure alignment with occupational competence. 

  • First phase of reforms announced in December covered 93 standards, including Business Administrator, Data Technician, and standards in Adult Care, 
  • New standards being reformed as of February include Leisure Duty Manager, Data Analyst, and others. 
  • Completed reforms: A number of standards now finalised with updated assessment plans awaiting implementation. 
  • Consultations: Proposed assessment plans are shared via public surveys, usually open for two weeks, giving employers, providers, and other stakeholders a chance to provide feedback. 
  • Ofqual regulatory framework: Consultation has now closed, with final conditions, requirements, and guidance expected in Spring 2026. 
Webinar: How we're supporting you through apprenticeship reforms

Join Sacha Finkle, Director of Delivery, and Leanne Poole, Head of EPA Operations, as they share their insights on the latest apprenticeship reforms and explain how NCFE can help you navigate these changes with confidence.

The apprenticeship assessment reforms explained  

What’s changing?  
  • Apprenticeship assessment will replace end-point assessment (EPA). 
  • Assessment can take place throughout the apprenticeship programme and inform the outcome. 
  • Training providers may deliver and mark elements of assessment, where permitted by the plan. 
  • Employers will be responsible for verifying behaviours. 
  • Assessment plans are shorter, focusing on clustering outcomes and removing unnecessary duplication. 
When are the changes being made?  
Timeline 
  • Oct 2025 – Phased introduction of revised assessment plans begins 
  • 2025–2026 – Transition period; current EPA plans remain available until replaced 
  • Spring 2026 – Ofqual expects to publish its new regulatory framework for apprenticeship assessment (consultation ongoing) 
  • 2026–2027 – Apprentices begin being assessed under revised plans as they go live 

Revised plan publication and start dates vary by occupation; check the Skills England Apprenticeship Finder for the latest details. 

What do the apprenticeship assessment reforms mean for providers?  

The changes to apprenticeship assessment mean training providers should: 

  • Continue to use existing EPA plans until revised assessment plans are live for starts 
  • Monitor the Skills England Revisions and Adjustments Status Report 
  • Prepare provider teams for increased involvement in assessment delivery and marking where permitted 
  • Engage employers on their role in verifying behaviours 
What is the guidance for providers in the meantime?  

Skills England has published an interim General Requirements for Apprenticeship Assessment to help stakeholders understand the baseline features of assessment during the transition. Final guidance is expected after Ofqual’s framework is finalised. 

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Apprenticeship assessment is changing, so what do we need to do?

After 20 years in the sector, our Director of Delivery, Sacha Finkle doesn't doubt that with resilience, adaptability and flexibility, we can welcome the inevitable changes with confidence.

Read more
Apprenticeship assessment - centre approval process 

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.  

Policy background 

The Department for Education’s (DfE) Apprenticeship Assessment Principles (published February 2025) set out the direction for reforms, focusing on: 

  • Removing unnecessary duplication 
  • Enabling proportionate assessment 
  • Providing flexibility in when assessment occurs 
  • Supporting provider involvement in marking where appropriate. 

Read the document here 

Assessment plan implementation 

All revised assessment will be reviewed and approved by Skills England before they can be used for delivery. Approved plans ensure: 

  • alignment with occupational standards and the Apprenticeship Assessment Principles 
  • practical delivery arrangements for providers and employers 
  • validity and quality of assessment against regulatory expectations. 

Providers should monitor the Skills England Revisions and Adjustments Status Report for updates on which plans are being revised and when they become live for delivery. 

Skills England has already published illustrative assessment plans for a small number of occupations to help stakeholders prepare for the changes. These are examples only, and current EPA arrangements remain in place until revised plans are live. 

Regulation & quality: Ofqual update 

Ofqual is introducing a new regulatory framework for apprenticeship assessment, aligned with DfE assessment principles. It will set out: 

  • requirements for awarding organisations (AOs) 
  • how assessments must reflect occupational standards 
  • design expectations for assessment plans. 

The consultation closed on 11 February 2026. Final rules and statutory guidance are expected in Spring 2026. 

Ofqual has confirmed it will embed DfE principles while maintaining rigour and reliability. 

 

Book a consultation with a member of our team  

Department for Education official guidance  

Skills England 

Ofqual regulatory frame work for apprenticeship assessment 

Funding changes 

View full details on GOV.UK  

Introduction of shorter apprenticeships 

See the government’s announcement on shorter apprenticeships  

What are the key changes to end-point assessment (EPA) ?

Watch as Allison Chatten, Product Manager for Apprenticeships at NCFE outlines all of the latest key changes to EPA.