Our new Apprenticeship Assessment Regulatory Framework sets out the final conditions, requirements and guidance for reformed apprenticeship assessment.
These reforms are designed to accommodate the Department for Work and Pensions’ new principles of flexibility in the way that apprenticeships are assessed. This framework provides that flexibility while ensuring that standards for assessment will be upheld.
Together, our regulatory framework and Skills England’s new style assessment plans will form a foundation for more flexible approaches to assessing apprentices, while ensuring that apprenticeships remain a trusted and valued route to the skills and knowledge needed for the job.
What this means for awarding organisations offering apprenticeship assessments
Please familiarise yourselves with the new conditions, requirements and guidance. The new framework embeds more flexible assessment principles from the Department of Work and Pensions. This allows greater flexibility in how you design and deliver assessments, but with that comes greater responsibility. Specifically, you must:
- produce and maintain an assessment strategy for each apprenticeship assessment you offer, bringing these assessments in line with other Ofqual-regulated qualifications
- ensure your assessments reflect the relevant occupational standard and assessment plan published by Skills England
Ofqual’s new regulatory framework will apply to new apprenticeship assessments when updated assessment plans come into effect.
What this means for colleges or training providers
Your primary relationship for apprenticeship assessment remains with your awarding organisations. You should work with your awarding organisations to understand the apprenticeship assessment arrangements and read the specifications your awarding organisations will publish for each apprenticeship assessment.
Under the new regulatory framework, providers may have a greater role in delivering and marking elements of assessment. This will be decided and overseen by the awarding organisation, not by Ofqual directly. If you have questions about your specific responsibilities, please contact your awarding organisations.
What this means if you are an employer
Employers play an important role in confirming that apprentices are ready for assessment and that assessments reflect the needs of your industry. You do not need to take any immediate action but you should be aware that, as updated assessment plans come into effect, the way assessments are structured may change.
These reforms introduce greater flexibility in assessment design and reduce duplication but our framework will ensure that apprenticeship assessment remains a trusted measure of occupational competence.
What do apprentices need to do?
New apprenticeship assessment arrangements are being rolled out gradually. This might mean that you are assessed during your apprenticeship rather than at the end. Your training provider will confirm your assessment arrangements. You do not need to take any action unless your training provider or employer tells you otherwise.
These reforms are designed to offer flexibility in how apprenticeships are assessed, while ensuring that standards are upheld and that they remain valuable for employers and employees.
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