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. Our apprenticeship reforms support hub brings you:
- expert support and guidance from our team
- clear summaries of the latest reforms
- direct links to important government guidance
- the latest 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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How we’re supporting you through these changes
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Latest guidance
Updated July 2026
- The government has released updated guidance on assessment requirements, funding rules and funding bands.
- More than 100 reformed assessment plans are now complete, with confirmed start dates.
- Skills England is working on 328 standards. A further 108 were added in May.
- Public consultations on proposed assessment plans continue, and each remains open for two weeks.
- It’s time to focus on preparing for delivery. Find out how we’re supporting you through our consultations and upcoming workshops.
How we’re supporting you through these changes
One-to-one consultations
With apprenticeship reforms underway, now is the ideal time to access expert guidance tailored to your organisation.
We’re committed to supporting you and your apprentices at every stage. We’ll help you to understand the changes ahead and take the right steps for your organisation and learners.
Through our one-to-one consultations, we’ll provide:
- insight into how moving away from independent end point assessment may impact your current delivery model and achievement timelines
- guidance on how to adapt internal quality assurance processes to meet a Centre Assessment Standard Scrutiny (CASS) approach
- advice on adapting curriculum and assessment planning to reflect the shift in responsibility for behaviours to employers
- an overview of what a tiered assessment approach looks like in practice
- support in identifying which model is right for your organisation
- guidance on ensuring consistency, comparability, and employer confidence when moving towards centre assessment
- information on how to gain approval to deliver apprenticeship assessment under a centre assessed model
- updates completed and in-progress standards.
Why work with NCFE?
Trust. Support. Quality.
That's what you get when you partner with NCFE.
Trust
- Transparent fees with no hidden costs.
- We deliver on our service level agreements so you can deliver on your commitments.
- Trusted sector specialists' expertise, with first-hand experience.
Support
- Support from a dedicated Relationship Manager.
- Our wraparound offer supports staff onboarding to ensure a seamless experience.
- We’re offering a tiered assessment approach to support transition to centre assessment.
Quality
- We become an extension of your team to help deliver quality and rigour.
- Onboarding workshops delivered by experienced sector experts.
Additional support
As part of our commitment to supporting you through the apprenticeship assessment reforms we’re also providing:
- Regular webinars offering guidance and practical support
- Timely newsletters to keep you informed of the latest developments
- Expert insights through thought leadership and in-depth articles
- Face-to-face roadshows focused on best practice and preparing for change
Become approved - apprenticeship assessment
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.
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.
What's next for Apprenticeship Assessment Reforms?
For a more detailed look at the support available from NCFE and how best to prepare for upcoming changes, read Leanne Poole’s deep dive into apprenticeship assessment reforms.
Workshops: Delivering effective assessment for reformed apprenticeships
Following the success of previous workshops, NCFE are partnering with the Assessment Network at Cambridge to deliver more sessions on how to prepare to deliver new apprenticeship assessment.
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
What are the key changes to end-point assessment (EPA)?
In this short webinar, Allison Chatten, Product Manager for Apprenticeships at NCFE, provides a more detailed explanation of the apprenticeship assessment reforms including what's changing and how this will impact you.
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 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.
What is the guidance for providers in the meantime?
Skills England has published an interim General Requirements for Apprenticeship Assessment. This is to help stakeholders understand the baseline features of assessment during the transition. Final guidance is expected after Ofqual’s framework is finalised.
Other key information
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
- Understanding the apprenticeship assessment reforms
- Apprenticeship Finder (assessment plans)
- Revisions and Adjustments Status Report
Ofqual regulatory frame work for apprenticeship assessment
Funding changes
Introduction of shorter apprenticeships
See the government’s announcement on shorter apprenticeships