Status of reformed apprenticeship standards | NCFE

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Status of reformed apprenticeship standards

Here you can explore how our reformed apprenticeship standards are progressing. In the dropdowns below, you’ll find information on the current status of the reformed standards and NCFE apprenticeships available.

Understanding the reform stages

  1. Skills England work begins

Skills England starts working on the reformed apprenticeship assessment plan (AAP).

  1. Expert group review

Skills England convene the expert group (previously trailblazer group) to review the draft AAP and lead-in period to allow development and preparation.

  1. Public survey

The AAP is shared for public consultation. To keep up to date with the latest Skills England live surveys, visit this page.

  1. Assessment plan published

When the AAP is finalised, Skills England will publish a ‘revised version awaiting implementation’ with an earliest start date.

Status of NCFE apprenticeship standards

Administration Assistant

Skills England implementation status: 4. Assessment plan published

Starts from: 1st August 2026

NCFE update: Live

  • Qualifications: n/a
  • Assessment: Portfolio with Question and Answer (Q&A)

Business Administrator

Skills England start date: December 2025

Skills England implementation status: 3. Public Survey

Employability Practitioner

Skills England implementation status: 2. Expert group review

Customer Service Practitioner

Skills England start date: March 2026

Skills England implementation status: 3. Public Survey

Customer Service Specialist

Skills England start date: February 2025

Skills England implementation status: 3. Public Survey

Fundraiser

Skills England start date: April 2026

Skills England implementation status: 3. Public Survey

Associate Project Manager

Skills England implementation status: 4. Assessment plan published

Starts from: 28 January 2027

Assessment:

Assessment organisations must design apprenticeship assessments to include at least one project.

Any additional assessment, or assessments, must be selected from the following list of methods, to ensure the assessment outcomes are met in full. Assessments available in the list may be used more than once:

  • demonstration
  • presentation
  • interview
  • professional discussion
  • question and answer
  • portfolio
  • written assessment
  • additional project

Early Years Educator

Skills England implementation status: 4. Assessment plan published

Starts from: 1 November 2026 

NCFE update: LIVE 

Qualification: Paediatric First Aid or Emergency Paediatric First Aid 

Assessment: 

  • Observation with Question and Answer (Q&A)
  • Professional Discussion or Case Study 

 

Early Years Practitioner

Skills England start date: May 2026

Skills England implementation status: 4. Assessment plan published

Starts from: 1 April 2027

Assessment:
Assessment organisations must design apprenticeship assessments to include at least one in person observation that is delivered and assessed by the assessment organisation.

Any additional assessment, or assessments, must be selected from the
following list of methods, to ensure the assessment outcomes are met in full. Assessments available in the list may be used more than once:

  • professional discussion
  • question and answer
  • case study based on a child
  • additional observation

Early Years Lead Practitioner 

Skills England start date: August 2026 

Skills England implementation status: 3. Public Survey

Teaching Assistant

Skills England start date: May 2026

Skills England implementation status: 3. Public Survey

Specialist Teaching Assistant 

Starts from: 14 December 2026

Skills England implementation status: 4. Assessment plan published

NCFE update: LIVE

Assessment:

  • Professional Discussion
  • Portfolio with Question and Answer (Q&A)

Adult Care Worker

Skills England implementation status: 4. Assessment plan published

Starts from: 27 May 2026

NCFE update: Live

  • Qualifications: Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate.
  • Assessment: n/a

Early Intervention Practitioner

Skills England implementation status: 4. Assessment plan published

Starts from: 25 November 2026

  • Assessment:

Assessment organisations must design apprenticeship assessments to include at least one professional discussion.

Any additional assessment(s) must be selected from the following list of methods to ensure the assessment outcomes are met in full:

    • observation
    • presentation
    • portfolio
    • journal
    • case study
    • questions and answers
    • additional professional discussion

 

Lead Adult Care Worker

Skills England implementation status: 4. Assessment plan published

Starts from: A lead-in period of approximately 6 months will commence when the apprenticeship is approved for delivery with a funding band. 

NCFE update: LIVE 

Leader in Adult Care

Skills England start date: December 2025
Skills England implementation status: 3. Public Survey


Children, Young People and Families Practitioner

Skills England implementation status: 2. Expert group review

Children, Young People and Families Manager

Skills England implementation status: 2. Expert group review

Dental Nurse

Skills England implementation status: 4. Assessment plan published

NCFE update: Live

 

Oral Health Practitioner

Skills England implementation status: 4. Assessment plan published

Starts from: A lead-in period of approximately 6 months will commence when the apprenticeship is approved for delivery with a funding band. 

Healthcare support worker 

Skills England implementation status: 4. Assessment plan published

Starts from: 11 March 2027 

  • Assessment: 

Assessment organisations must design apprenticeship assessments to include at least one observation. 

Any additional assessment(s) must be selected from the following list of methods to ensure the assessment outcomes are met in full: 

  • professional discussion 
  • portfolio 
  • question and answer 
  • written assessment 
  • journal 
  • additional observation 

 

Senior Healthcare Support Worker 

Skills England start date: August 2026 

Skills England implementation status: 2. Expert group review 

Data Technician

Skills England start date: December 2025

Skills England implementation status: 3. Public Survey

 

Data Analyst 

Skills England start date: February 2026

Community Activator Coach

Skills England implementation status: 4. Assessment plan published

Starts from: 11 March 2027 

NCFE update: LIVE

  • n/a
  • Assessment: Observation with Question and Answer (Q&A)

Sports Coach

Starts from: 14 January 2027

Skills England implementation status: 4. Assessment plan published

Starts from: 14 January 2027 

NCFE update: LIVE

  • n/a
  • Assessment:
    • Professional Discussion
    • Observation with Question and Answer (Q&A)

Outdoor Activity Instructor

Skills England start date: March 2025

Personal Trainer

Skills England implementation status: 4. Assessment plan published

Starts from: 11 March 2027 

NCFE update: LIVE

  • n/a
  • Assessment:
    • Portfolio with Question and Answer (Q&A)
    • Observation with Question and Answer (Q&A)

Leisure Duty Manager

Skills England implementation status: 4. Assessment plan published

Starts from: 10 December 2026

 Facilities Manager 

Skills England start date: August 2026 

Skills England implementation status: 3. Public Survey

 

Facilities Services Operative 

Skills England start date: August 2026 

Skills England implementation status: 3. Public Survey

For the latest government announcements on apprenticeship reforms and how NCFE is responding, head to our dedicated page.  

 

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