FIS has submitted a formal response to Ofqual’s consultation on proposed reforms to apprenticeship end-point assessment (EPA), raising concerns over the potential risks to assessment quality, consistency, and the readiness of the sector to adapt.
The consultation, which closed on 27 August 2025, outlines a new regulatory framework intended to modernise apprenticeship assessment by moving away from the traditional EPA model. The proposed system places greater emphasis on flexibility, streamlined assessment plans, and increased involvement from employers and training providers.
Earlier in the year, DfE brought in several apprenticeship reforms. The reforms were meant to “slash red tape” and introduce shorter and more flexible apprenticeships. Most reforms are understandable, but the reforms to the assessment process is causing industry-wide concerns.
A set of 5 pilots were run by Skills England with the intention of proposing assessment reforms and taking on feedback. Occupations from healthcare, IT, construction and others were selected, with Site Carpentry & Joinery installers identified for construction. Whilst this sector group is part of the pilot, these changes will impact all of the trades and installer occupations and will likely impact other occupations across the country.
While the key issues are outlined below, the way the pilots have been conducted, a poor consultation process, and the potential negative impact on apprenticeships, raises serious concerns.
Key impacts:
- An impact on the Construction Skills Mission Board to deliver against all priorities
- Apprenticeships will not meet the competence requirements set out in the Building Safety Act 22 which may result in a very real reduction of competent people in our industry.
- The construction sector will be increasingly unable to deliver essential skills through apprenticeships. Industry will likely remove apprenticeships from existing frameworks altogether, including potential calls to decouple CSCS cards from apprenticeship pathways. Without immediate intervention, apprenticeship uptake for construction is at serious risk of collapsing entirely
The perceived issues:
- Assessment bodies are likely to be Awarding Organisations (AO’s) or training providers:
- Assessment organisations will be able to create the assessment based on their own thinking.
- The level of detail in the assessments is now going to be set by the assessment organisations.
- If there are multiple assessment organisations, this will create varying levels of assessment, based on the organisation.
- We believe this will reduce the level of competence validation of those going through the assessment.
- Under the reforms, the New Assessment Plans have a different purpose to the current End Point Assessment Plan. The new proposed assessment plan will:
- Digital assessments will be prioritised. With a practical trade like Installers, where they physically have to demonstrate competence (stairs, fire door install), digital assessments will not work.
With regards to the pilot consultation sessions:
- Invites to the pilot meeting were issued 2 days before the meeting, with non-attendance resulting in feedback not being taken on board
- Information for the meeting being issued less than 24 hours before the meeting, with no time to review and comment
We understand that Skills England have been asked to implement these principles within the boundaries of the apprenticeship reforms.
If you have any feedback or queries, please contact beenanana@thefis.org