In June, Ofqual released its long-anticipated consultation on the future of apprenticeship assessment. While the consultation remains open until 27 August 2025 and the proposals are subject to change, there is already much to unpack.
This article outlines what we know so far, what is changing, and how it may affect our shared work across the sector. We are attending every webinar, reading every article and voicing in every consultation event, so we will keep you updated as we learn more.
You can read the full consultation here.
A new framework, new language, and new responsibilities
The proposed reforms introduce the Regulatory Framework for Apprenticeship Assessments (RFAA), which marks a significant departure from the traditional End-Point Assessment (EPA) model. This new framework promotes a more flexible, on-programme assessment system that redefines how apprenticeships are evaluated, delivered, and quality assured.
Key terminology updates include:
- EPA → now referred to as Apprenticeship Assessment
- EPAO → becomes Assessment Organisation (AO)
- Gateway → reframed as Gateway to Completion
These changes reflect a broader move towards shared responsibility and integrated assessment design.
What is changing?
Here are the core structural changes proposed:
- Assessments may now occur before and after the gateway, with a final synoptic component still required
- Training providers may deliver and mark some assessments, under AO oversight
- There are opportunities for employers to verify behaviours, under AO oversight
- Skills England will issue shorter, high-level assessment plans, allowing for greater flexibility and innovation of assessment design with awarding organisations, training providers and employers.
This new model is designed to be more responsive, collaborative, and aligned with occupational competence.
Designing the new Assessment Plans
Under the RFAA, each apprenticeship standard will require its own Apprenticeship Assessment Strategy. These strategies will be created by us, but not in isolation. We are committed to working in close partnership with training providers and employers to ensure that each plan reflects real-world practice, meets regulatory expectations, and most importantly delivers the best outcomes for learners.
This collaborative approach is embedded throughout the design process, from initial scoping to final validation. We are already engaging stakeholders to ensure that assessment methods are relevant, inclusive, and practical.
Collaboration: At the heart of everything we do
We believe that meaningful reform can only happen through meaningful collaboration. That is why we have placed a strong emphasis on working with our partners, training providers, employers, and subject matter experts at every stage of this transition.
We are not waiting for the consultation to close before taking action. We have already made significant progress by co-developing draft versions of our FuturU Apprenticeship Assessment Strategy and an updated Centre Assessment Standard Scrutiny Policy, both of which reflect the proposed model and are being shaped by ongoing feedback from our delivery partners. We expect things to change after the consultation but we always prefer to be proactive and make tweaks later.
What this means for our partners
For employers
You could play a more active role in verifying behaviours and co-designing assessments. This ensures assessments remain occupationally relevant and support faster completion especially for experienced hires.
For training providers
You can have the opportunity to deliver and mark assessments, under AO oversight. This brings greater flexibility, but also greater accountability. We will work closely with you to ensure quality and compliance.
For assessment organisations
New responsibilities include internal EQA design, centre registration and oversight, and risk-based monitoring. The Centre Assessment Standards Scrutiny (CASS) function will expand to support these changes.
Responding to the consultation
We are currently preparing our formal response to the consultation. While we welcome the direction of travel, we also have concerns particularly around the clarity of roles, the feasibility of implementation timelines, and the potential impact on assessment consistency.
Our response will reflect both our readiness to adapt and our commitment to ensuring that reforms are workable, fair, and beneficial to learners and stakeholders alike.
Final thoughts
This consultation marks a pivotal moment for apprenticeship assessment in England. While the final shape of the reforms will depend on the consultation outcome, the direction is clear: more flexibility, more collaboration, and more opportunity to design assessments that truly reflect occupational competence.
We will continue to keep you updated as the consultation progresses and as we begin piloting the new model.
For further discussion or to share your perspective, you are welcome to contact me at liam.tobin-ward@futuru.ai or connect with me on Linkedin.
Make sure you’re following FuturU on LinkedIn too to stay up to date as things progress.
