Trainee Positions no Longer Demanding Maths and English GCSE Qualifications for Participation
The United Kingdom has undergone significant changes in its apprenticeship system since early 2025, making the roles of End-point Assessment Organisations (EPAOs), training providers, and employers more flexible and employer-driven.
One of the key reforms is the removal of mandatory English and Maths qualifications for apprentices aged 19 and over, providing a key barrier to completion for many adults. Employers and apprentices now jointly decide if these qualifications are necessary, offering greater flexibility to employers. However, functional skills remain mandatory for apprentices aged 16-18.
Another significant change is enhanced employer engagement in choosing and working with EPAOs. Training providers must actively engage with relevant EPAOs for the apprenticeship standards they deliver, involving employers in selecting EPAOs to ensure assessments meet industry and workplace needs.
The transition from apprenticeship frameworks to apprenticeship standards is also underway. Training providers must demonstrate governance, senior management approval, implementation plans, and resource allocation to support delivery and collaborate with EPAOs to maintain assessment rigour and employer involvement.
The reforms also introduce flexibility and responsiveness to skills needs through the new Growth and Skills Levy and apprenticeship funding changes. From August 2025, the levy supports new foundation apprenticeships, shorter minimum apprenticeship durations (reduced from 12 to 8 months), and more flexible assessments focusing on practical skills employers prioritize.
The reforms aim to simplify assessment, remove duplication, and make programs more flexible for employers and learners. The Wiser Academy, a leading training and development centre for the insurance industry, welcomes these changes as a positive step towards removing barriers to entry and upskilling the workforce.
The Wiser Academy's Introduction to Insurance Bootcamp Programme, launched in 2023, is designed for technical and frontline insurance professionals with less than two years of experience. The Academy is also preparing to support employers through the changes and will soon host a free webcast to discuss the reforms in detail.
In addition, the Wiser Academy has been recognised as outstanding by Ofsted, making it the only educational establishment in the insurance sector to achieve this rating. The Academy's Managing Director, Crescens, spoke about the 'Outstanding' status awarded by Ofsted.
Furthermore, the reforms delegate assessment responsibilities to EPAOs, who can now share assessment duties with providers like the Wiser Academy. As of 1 August, EPAOs can share assessment responsibilities with training providers, such as the Wiser Academy.
Lastly, the reforms have introduced fixed off-the-job training hours, replacing the old 20% requirement, making expectations clearer for both part- and full-time apprentices.
All employers are welcome to join the webcast hosted by the Wiser Academy to discuss the apprenticeship reforms in detail. The webcast will provide valuable insights into the changes and how they can benefit both employers and apprentices.
[1] GOV.UK. (2025). Apprenticeship reforms: changes for employers, training providers and EPAOs. [online] Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apprenticeship-reforms-changes-for-employers-training-providers-and-epaos/apprenticeship-reforms-changes-for-employers-training-providers-and-epaos
[2] GOV.UK. (2025). Apprenticeship funding and the apprenticeship levy: guidance for employers. [online] Available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apprenticeship-funding-and-the-apprenticeship-levy-guidance-for-employers
[3] GOV.UK. (2025). Apprenticeship reforms: changes for apprentices. [online] Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apprenticeship-reforms-changes-for-apprentices/apprenticeship-reforms-changes-for-apprentices
[4] GOV.UK. (2025). Apprenticeship reforms: changes for training providers. [online] Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apprenticeship-reforms-changes-for-training-providers/apprenticeship-reforms-changes-for-training-providers
[5] GOV.UK. (2025). Apprenticeship reforms: changes for end-point assessment organisations. [online] Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apprenticeship-reforms-changes-for-end-point-assessment-organisations/apprenticeship-reforms-changes-for-end-point-assessment-organisations
- The Wiser Academy, an education and self-development organization in the insurance industry, supports the recent apprenticeship reforms as a means to promote personal growth and learning by removing barriers to entry and upskilling the workforce.
- As part of the apprenticeship reforms, changes have been made to allow End-point Assessment Organisations (EPAOs) to collaborate with training providers like the Wiser Academy for more flexible assessments, promoting learning and practical skills that employers prioritize.