DfE Relaxed Functional Skills Rules for Apprentices – What this means for providers
Introduction: Updates to Functional Skills Requirements
The government has introduced Relaxed Functional Skills Rules for apprentices, as announced by the DfE. These new rules mean adult apprentices (aged 19 and over) are no longer required to pass Functional Skills English and maths to complete their apprenticeship. While these qualifications remain mandatory for apprentices aged 16–18, they are now optional for adults.
This shift will have a considerable impact on apprenticeship providers, with fewer learners needing to take Functional Skills exams. Consequently, maintaining in-house testing facilities may no longer be financially viable due to a reduction in exam participation.
Impact on Training Providers
Decrease in Exam Numbers
The Relaxed Functional Skills Rules for apprentices mean that fewer adult learners will be required to complete Functional Skills exams, leading to a decrease in exam registrations for training providers.
Higher Costs for In-House Testing
Managing in-house exams incurs fixed costs, such as exam board fees, administrative salaries, and per-exam charges. With fewer learners sitting exams, sustaining these internal services may become cost-prohibitive. A more efficient solution could be switching to a pay-per-exam model like Pass Functional Skills (PFS).
Cost-Effective Solution: Pay-Per-Exam with PFS
Adopting a pay-per-exam model like PFS helps providers reduce costs by eliminating:
- Annual exam board fees
- Salaries for administrative staff
- Overhead costs of running in-house exams
With this approach, providers only pay when an exam is required, helping them stay compliant while keeping costs manageable.
Conclusion: Adapting to Functional Skills Changes
The Relaxed Functional Skills Rules for apprentices represent a significant policy change, removing a key requirement for apprenticeship completion. However, for training providers, maintaining in-house exam operations may no longer be financially sustainable.
By switching to a pay-per-exam model, providers can adapt to these changes, lower their costs, and streamline the Functional Skills assessment process.
Find Out More
Contact Pass Functional Skills today at 020 4574 9155 to discover a cost-effective, fully managed Functional Skills exam solution. Alternatively, fill out the contact form below, and one of our specialists will reach out to discuss how the Relaxed Functional Skills Rules for apprentices may affect your organization.
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