Apprenticeship Reforms Hub

Navigating apprenticeship reforms with clarity, confidence and control

Apprenticeships in England are undergoing significant reforms. This hub brings together everything you need to understand what is changing, what it means for you, and how DSW is responding.

Last updated Tuesday 29 September

Introduction

During my time at DSW, I’ve watched the organisation continuously evolve, embrace innovation, and put the learner experience at the heart of everything we do.

We’re now in the midst of one of the most transformative periods the apprenticeship sector has seen. The reforms are already changing how apprenticeships are designed, delivered and assessed, with a greater focus on streamlined, flexible and meaningful assessment models.

For apprentices, these changes are creating assessment experiences that are more closely aligned to their learning and the skills they need in the workplace. For employers, they offer greater clarity and a stronger focus on occupational competence. And for DSW, they provide an opportunity to lead through change, continue improving, and deliver outstanding quality across every apprenticeship we support.

We’re embracing these changes with confidence, working closely with our partners and stakeholders to ensure that our assessment approaches remain robust, accessible and focused on what matters most: supporting apprentices to demonstrate their knowledge, skills and competence.

Jake Tween
Director of Apprenticeships

What Is Changing?

Major changes to apprenticeship assessment are now underway.

From the removal of gateway to employer validation of behaviours, the reforms represent a fundamental shift in how apprenticeships are assessed. This page provides a clear breakdown of what has changed, what is still in development, and what you should be preparing for.

All apprenticeship assessment plans will be updated during 2026 to align with the new reform framework.

The reforms shift assessment design, timing and responsibility.

Below is a clear breakdown of the key changes, we will continue to update this page as reforms progress and new standards are approved.

Key Changes

Mandated
Assessments

Each plan will mandate at least one assessment method, with additional methods chosen by individual Apprenticeship Assessment Organisations (AAOs) in consultation with training providers and employers.

Employers to Validate Behaviours

Employers will now be expected to validate behaviours, while knowledge and skills will be assessed through assessment methods designed by AAOs.

Sampling
Introduced

For the first time, sampling will be permitted within apprenticeship assessments for both mandatory and non-mandatory knowledge and skills.

Removal of
Gateway

The concept of the Gateway will be removed, allowing assessments to occur at any time during programme delivery.

Some Elements
Assessed by TPs

AAOs may permit some elements of the assessment to be conducted by the Training Provider (centre), which must adhere to the assessment design by the AAO. Centres must meet specific requirements to ensure compliance.

See Our CASS Stategy

Process for a New Assessment Plan

01

“Groups of Persons” (formerly called Trailblazer Groups) will create a new plan in consultation with Skills England. These groups include representation from employers, assessment organisations, professional bodies and training providers.

02

All plans will undergo a 2-week public consultation.

03

The plan will then be submitted to the Skills England Approval Committee for review. The committee will consider the proposal and determine whether any amendments are required prior to approval.

04

The expected turnaround time from these reviews is 5-10 days.

05

Approved plans will be published with an “earliest start date for new starts” (the live date) which may be up to six months from the publication date.

06

Existing learners may transfer from the live date, provided there is sufficient time remaining to complete all required assessment components.

07

The decision to transfer must clearly reflect the apprentice’s best interest.

08

Once transferred, apprentices cannot revert to a previous version.

Current Status of Standards We Assess

Scroll through the table below to view the current status of the apprenticeship standards we assess.

StandardActual / Expected Committee DateStatusMapping of Knowledge & Skills to Assessment MethodsTask MappingPass & Distinction CriteriaTasksetsToolkit
Administration Assistant L2Available for starts from 01/08/2026Mandated method:
Portfolio

Second method:
Interview		AvailablePortfolio Mapping AvailableAvailableAvailable
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Automation Practitioner L4Available for starts from 10/12/2025Mandated method:
Project

Second method:
Professional Discussion or Presentation		Available
Project mapping available		AvailableAvailable
Associate Management Consultant L4Available for starts from 10/12/2026Mandated method:
at least one Professional Discussion

Second method:
Portfolio		AvailableAvailable
Associate Project Manager L4Available for starts from 28/01/2027Mandated method:
at least one Project

Second method:
Professional Discussion
Business Administrator L3Approval committee:
28/04/2026

Waiting on funding update		Mandated method:
Professional Discussion

Second method:
Portfolio		Available
Business Analyst L4Approval committee:
22/06/2026		Mandated method:
Professional Discussion
Coaching Professional L5Will be defunded
Compliance and Risk Officer L3Available for starts from 11/09/2026Mandated method:
Interview

Second method:
Portfolio		AvailableAvailableAvailableAvailable
Consumer Financial Services Professional L6Awaiting funding band approvalMandated method:
Professional Discussion

Second method:
Portfolio		AvailablePortfolio mapping available
Content Creator L3Available for starts from 24/09/2026Mandated method:
at least one Project
Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Practitioner L4Available for starts from 24/09/2026Mandated method:
at least one Project

Second method:
Professional Discussion
Corporate Treasurer L6Out for public consultation
Cyber Security Technologist L4Under revision
Data Analyst L4Under revision
Data Technician L3Approved Awaiting start dateMandated method:
Simulated Task

Second method:
Portfolio		AvailablePortfolio mapping available
Digital Support Technician L3Under revision
Financial Investment Professional L6Awaiting funding band approvalMandated method:
Professional Discussion

Second method:
Portfolio		AvailablePortfolio mapping available
Financial Services Administrator L3Available for starts from 12/11/2026Mandated method:
Professional Discussion

Second method:
Portfolio		AvailablePortfolio mapping availableAvailableAvailable
Financial Services Customer Adviser L3Available for starts from 27/07/2026Mandated method:
Professional Discussion

Second method:
Portfolio		AvailableAvailableAvailableAvailableAvailable
Housing and Property Management Assistant L2Plan out for public consultation
Housing and Property Management L3Available for starts from 01/02/2027Mandated method:
Professional Discussion

Second method:
Portfolio		Available
HR Support L3Available for starts from 11/03/2027Mandated method:
Professional Discussion
Improvement Leader L6Will be defunded
Improvement Technician L3Available for starts from 28/10/2026Mandated method:
at least one Project

Second method:
Professional Discussion		AvailableProject mapping available
Insurance Practitioner L3Available for starts from 12/11/2026Mandated method:
Professional Discussion

Second method:
Portfolio		AvailablePortfolio mapping availableAvailable
Insurance Professional L4Available for starts from 13/05/2026Mandated method:
Portfolio

Second method:
Professional Discussion		AvailablePortfolio mapping availableAvailablePortfolio tasksets availableAvailable
Investment Operations Specialist L4Available for starts from 11/09/2026Mandated method:
Professional Discussion

Second method:
Portfolio		AvailableAvailableAvailableAvailable
Investment Operations Technician L3Will retire on 10/09/2026
Junior Estate Agent L2Under revision
Learning and Development Consultant / Business Partner L5Available for starts from 11/03/2027Mandated method:
Professional Discussion
Learning and Development Practitioner L3Available for starts from 11/03/2027Mandated method:
at least one Professional Discussion
Marketing Executive L4TBC
Marketing Manager L6Out for public survey:
11/05/26		Mandated method:
at least one Professional Discussion
Mortgage Advisor L3Available for starts from 10/09/2026Recorded Role Play Scenario

Second method:
Portfolio		AvailableAvailableAvailable
Multi-Channel Marketer L3TBCMandated method:
at least one Project
Operations Manager L5Will be defunded
Paraplanner and Financial Planner L4Available for starts from 11/03/27Mandated method:
Case Study
People Professional L5Under revision
Sales Executive L4TBC
Senior Compliance and Risk Specialist L6Available for starts from 12/11/26Mandated method:
Professional Discussion

Second method:
Portfolio		AvailablePortfolio mapping availableAvailableAvailable
Senior Housing and Property Management L4Available for starts from 14/01/2027Mandated method:
at least one Project

Secondary method:
Professional Discussion		Available
Senior Insurance Professional L6Available for starts from 13/05/2026Mandated method:
Portfolio

Second method:
Professional Discussion		AvailablePortfolio mapping availableAvailablePortfolio tasksets availableAvailable
Senior Investment and Commercial Banking Professional L7TBC
Senior Leader L6Out for public survey:
06/07/2026
Senior Pensions Administrator L4Out for public consultation
Senior People Professional L7Plan under revision
Service Designer L6TBC
Team Leader L3Will be defunded
Treasury Assistant L4Out for public consultation