May 2025
The recent announcements following the National Apprenticeship Week have brought significant updates to the apprenticeship landscape. The funding rules for 2025/26 have now been published, alongside the listing of seven foundation apprenticeships on IfATE’s website and new Treasury documents indicating a 13% increase in the apprenticeships budget; these developments signal a positive shift in the sector.
Key updates include:
- The first list of foundation apprenticeships has been released, all at Level 2 and aligned with the Industrial Strategy.
- These apprenticeships offer a first look at the revised assessment plans.
- Eligibility Criteria – pages 71 – 77
- Aged 16–21.
- Aged 22–24 with an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan or in the care of their local authority.
- Aged 22–24 and either a prisoner or a prison leaver.
- Reflect changes announced during National Apprenticeship Week, including revised assessment plans from April 2025.
- The previous minimum duration of 372 days for funding eligibility has been removed.
- From 1 August 2025, the new minimum duration will be 8 months. Exceptions include:
- Redundancy with 6–8 months remaining.
- Transfers to a newer version of the same standard.
- Transfers between providers on the same standard.
- Return to the same apprenticeship after a break or withdrawal.
- EPA continues to be capped at a maximum of 20% of the funding band for a standard.
- Prior learning supported by the minimum of 8 months on programme and 187 off-the-job hours.
- English and Maths Requirements – pages 21 – 29
- All apprentices must complete an initial assessment.
- 16–18-year-olds must achieve Level 2 English and/or Maths if not already done (funded).
- For those aged 19+, it is optional but funded if agreed by the employer — unless required by regulation or qualification.
- Restart apprentices follow the same age-based rules as when they left.
- Providers must retain evidence of decisions made for 19+ learners.
- English and Maths for Gateway for EPA
- 16–18-year-olds must provide evidence of completion.
- 19+ apprentices must show written evidence of assessment attempts, if applicable.
- Flexibility to achieve Entry Level 3 Functional Skills may be applied for learners with SEN.
- EPA – pages 67 – 70
- TNP2 remains the method for recording agreed EPA costs.
- At least 6 months before Gateway, an EPAO must be selected and recorded on the ILR.
- Revisions to apprenticeship assessment – funding rules annex b, page 134
9.1. Whilst assessment plans are being rewritten, a dual process for apprenticeship
assessment will be in place:
- For apprenticeship standards where the assessment plan has not yet been revised, the rules for end-point assessment remain as set out in the main body of the funding rules.
- Where assessment plans for apprenticeship standards have been revised
the rules set out below will apply.
9.2. These new rules adopt a change in terminology to reflect that apprenticeship assessment can take place at any stage of the apprenticeship, not just at the end:
- “Apprenticeship assessment” will replace end-point assessment
- “Assessment organisation” will replace end-point assessment organisation
- “Gateway to completion” will replace gateway
9.3. Page 137, para 348
- New assessment plans may assign specific assessment responsibility to the provider
- Training providers cannot assess all elements or provide quality assurance for their own learners, except in integrated standards.
Looking Ahead
Further changes to assessment plans are expected to apply across all standards. During this transition, we will continue to follow the assessment plan, Ofqual’s General Conditions of Recognition, and relevant funding rules. Our commitment is to ensure a smooth transition and provide full support to all apprentices.
For more information about our end-point assessment services, please contact Hannah Newman at Hannah.Newman@gatewayqualifications.org.uk or submit a contact form.
