Important Update on Functional Skills and Apprenticeship Rules
Book Onto An Upcoming Employer & Apprenticeship Lead Forum
To find out the latest rules around Functional Skills, and how this impacts you and your apprentices, join our upcoming forum for employers and apprenticeship leads.
The government has updated functional skills requirements for all apprenticeship programmes. With the latest funding rules from the Department for Education, we’ve begun reviewing these changes and exploring how they can be implemented to best support both employers and learners.
At Dynamic Training, we are committed to ensuring all apprentices receive the support and opportunities they need to succeed. The recent updates to apprenticeship funding rules provide greater flexibility for apprentices regarding Functional Skills assessments as well as overall upskilling in maths and English. Here’s what you need to know.
Updated Functional Skills Requirements
For Apprentices Aged 16-18 At The Start Of The Programme:
- Level 2 Apprenticeships: Apprentices must achieve level 1 and attempt the Level 2 Functional Skills assessments in English and Maths if they haven’t already achieved a GCSE grade 4 (C) or higher.
- They do not need to pass the level 2 assessments to complete their apprenticeship.
- They must attempt the assessment as part of the apprenticeship funding rules.
- Level 3 Apprenticeships and Above: Apprentices must pass Level 2 Functional Skills if they have not already achieved a GCSE grade 4 or higher.
- However, there is flexibility to achieve Entry Level 3 Functional Skills in English and maths, as an alternative to the standard Level 1 or 2 requirements, apprentices who have an existing or previously issued education, health and care (EHC) plan (or one of the legacy equivalents: a statement of special educational need (SEN) or a learning difficulty assessment (LDA)), or the provider ensures that a thorough and evidence-based assessment (which uses a combination of robust methods) of the individual apprentices’ learning difficulty or disability has been completed in a formal and structured manner by an appropriate professional (for example, the head of special education needs (SEN), or an equivalent individual with suitable knowledge and expertise) and a barrier has been identified.
For Apprentices Aged 19+ At The Start Of The Programme:
- Opting In: Apprentices aged 19+ have the option to opt in or opt out of Functional Skills in English and / or Maths, with employer agreement.
- If the apprentice opts in, they must undertake the assessments for the level they are working towards (e.g., Entry Level, Level 1, or Level 2). They can still complete their apprenticeship by proceeding directly to their End Point Assessment (EPA) without needing to pass Functional Skills assessments.
- If the apprentice chooses not to opt in, they will complete their apprenticeship by proceeding directly to their End Point Assessment (EPA) without needing to upskill in maths and/ or English or pass Functional Skills assessments.
Flexibility With Functional Skills Levels:
- Apprentices now have the option to start Functional Skills to enable upskilling in maths and/ or English at any level based on their current skills. Whether they begin at Entry Level 3, Level 1, or Level 2, the training will be funded.
- This allows apprentices to progress at their own pace and work towards the level they need for their apprenticeship, future career / education progression or individual needs.
Key Points For Employers
- Joint Agreement: The decision to opt in or out of Functional Skills should be a joint agreement between the learner and employer. Both parties should agree on whether to pursue Functional Skills and at what level, considering the apprentice’s individual needs and career progression.
- Encourage apprentices to engage with maths and/ or English upskilling through Functional Skills, especially those starting at Entry Level 3, as it will support their long-term career success, education progression and personal development.
- Support apprentices in making an informed decision about whether to opt in or opt out of Functional Skills, based on their individual needs and career progression goals.
- Apprentices can upskill and take Functional Skills at any level, and all levels are funded, allowing for a tailored approach to learning and development.
Implementation Of These Changes
We have already agreed on an implementation plan to put these changes into effect. The Department for Education has set a deadline of 1st April 2025 for existing 19+ learners to agree with their line manager and training provider on any amendments to Functional Skills attainment. By this date, all required evidence and updated learning plans must also be completed.
We will begin this implementation next week, starting with communication to learners and line managers, followed by a staged approach of directly engaging with learners.
Rest assured, all learners and line managers will be informed, and agreements will be in place by the Department for Education's deadline. Additionally, we will keep you updated on the outcomes of discussions with learners so that, as apprenticeship leads, you have clear visibility of the decisions being made regarding the upskilling of Maths and/or English and the achievement of Functional Skills.
What This Means for Existing Apprentices:
For Existing Apprentices Currently On Programme
These changes provide an opportunity to reassess their learning needs and decide whether to pursue Functional Skills or not. Apprentices who have not yet attempted Functional Skills assessments can now choose to opt in and work towards achieving the level most appropriate for their current skills.
Learners Planning To Progress To Higher Apprenticeship
It is important to note that we do not currently know how Higher Education institutions will respond to these funding rule changes. Specifically, it is unclear whether the requirement for English and Maths will be removed for progression onto Higher Apprenticeship programmes or if additional assessments will be introduced as a prerequisite for these courses.
Currently, it is strongly recommended that learners who wish to progress onto Higher Apprenticeships continue working towards their Functional Skills qualifications. This will ensure they are not placed in a position where they are unable to advance onto their future career progression programmes via Higher Education.
Support Available For Learners, Line Managers & Interested Parties
At Dynamic, we understand that this decision is important for both learners and employers. Therefore, throughout March we will be holding forums for learners and line managers to ensure everyone is equipped with the information needed to make an informed decision about Functional Skills and how to best support the apprentice’s development.
We Need Your Feedback!
We invite employers and apprenticeship leads to join us at our Employer/Lead Changes to Functional Skills Forum this March. This is a valuable opportunity to stay informed about the latest updates and discuss how changes in functional skills impact apprenticeships and workforce development. Your insights and participation are crucial in shaping the future of skills training, ensuring apprentices receive the best possible support.
Supporting Your Apprentices And Internal Communication
We are here to help you communicate these updates effectively within your organisation. Should you need any support with internal communication or have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
You can contact us at:
Email: Ask.dynamic@dynamictraining.org.uk
Phone: 0208 6077850
Together, we can ensure all apprentices can succeed and thrive in their careers.
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