Apprenticeship reform updates

Skills England has continued to expand its programme of apprenticeship assessment reform. It has added a further 81 standards to its list of assessment reforms in development, in the latest update published 21 April 2026. New standards include:

• Healthcare Support Worker
• Sports Coach
• Community Activator Coach
• Specialist Teaching Assistant. 

Reforms have now been completed on 41 standards, including Adult Care Worker. Version 2.0 of the Adult Care Worker standard will go live for new starts from 27 May 2026. 

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has published updated guidance on changes to apprenticeship assessment for 2025 to 2026. This provides further clarity on how reformed assessment arrangements should be delivered during the current funding year. In addition, draft apprenticeship funding rules for 2026/27  are now available. This provides early sight of proposed funding and operational requirements ahead of the next academic year. 

The Ofqual consultation on apprenticeship assessment reform has now closed. We’ve been reviewing the proposals and consultation responses. We are continuing to develop and refine our approach to assessment delivery, ensuring alignment with emerging regulatory expectations, employer requirements and the direction of national reform. Further updates will be shared as Ofqual confirms its next steps and positions. 

Employer and provider engagement 

We are working with Skills England expert groups and sector representatives to explore how reformed assessment models can be delivered effectively and consistently. Drawing on Skills England’s revisions report and our ongoing involvement, we have a dedicated page on the current status of reforms, including what is in progress and what is finalised. This will help you plan and prepare with confidence.

Social care apprenticeships webinar 

To support employers and providers navigating early reform activity in social care, we hosted a webinar, ‘What’s changing in social care apprenticeships?’, on 28 April 2026. 

This session explores recent and upcoming changes affecting social care standards, including Adult Care Worker reforms. You'll also have the opportunity hear directly from NCFE subject and assessment specialists. 

Watch the webinar   

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. 

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.