Maths and English Functional Skills Policy Change – What We Know
- NQual
- Feb 11
- 7 min read
Updated: Feb 18
Key Changes Explained
1. English and Maths Functional Skills Requirement Made Optional
Effective from 11th February 2025, the government has removed the mandatory English and maths functional skills requirement for apprentices aged 19+ at the start of their apprenticeship training. This change includes apprentices who are currently on programme.
Employers and apprentices must agree by 1st April 2025 whether the apprentice will continue studying English and maths.
Providers must record the decision in the training plan.
Apprentices must continue their studies until an agreement is made.
2. Shorter Apprenticeships – Reducing Minimum Duration to 8 Months
From August 2025, the minimum apprenticeship duration will be reduced from 12 months to 8 months (subject to parliamentary approval). This flexibility will particularly impact industries where shorter training durations make sense due to:
Industry needs (e.g. project-based roles in creative industries).
Significant prior learning that would have previously made learners ineligible.
Initial Shorter Apprenticeships
The first shorter apprenticeships expected to be available include:
Production Assistants in the creative sector.
Dual Fuel Smart Meter Installers supporting clean energy initiatives.
Healthcare Support Workers, a vital role for the NHS.
The Impact on Apprenticeship Achievement Rates
Recent apprenticeship statistics indicate a steady rise in starts, participation, and completions:
2023/24 Academic Year (August - October) Figures:
Apprenticeship starts: 132,560 (up 1.3% from 2023/24).
Higher apprenticeships: saw an 8.1% increase.
Level 6 & 7 apprenticeships: increased by 10.9%.
Learner participation: 571,630 (up 2.1% from 2023/24).
Apprenticeship achievements: 37,820 (up 1.1% from 2023/24).
Learners with disabilities: Increased by 3.7% to 20,800.
Ethnic minority apprentices: Increased by 7.7% to 20,700.
What This Means for Employers and Training Providers
These reforms provide greater flexibility and efficiency for businesses and training providers:
Employers now have the discretion to determine English and maths requirements for apprentices aged 19+.
Shorter apprenticeships enable quicker workforce integration in high-demand sectors.
What announcements were made during National Apprenticeship Week 2025
Here is a list of the main National Apprenticeship Week 2025 articles from the apprenticeship service. View the latest list here.
Apprenticeship funding rules
The rules employers and training providers must follow to get funding for training and assessing apprentices in England.
The 2024 to 2025 funding rules apply to apprenticeships starting between 1 August 2024 and 31 July 2025.
View the 2024 to 2025 apprenticeship funding rules (PDF, 1.83 MB, 147 pages).
These rules apply to:
employers
employer-providers
main providers
The summary of changes (PDF, 935 KB, 22 pages) explains the specific funding rules that are changing from 1 August 2024.
NQual’s Commitment as a Leading Awarding Organisation
As a trusted Awarding Organisation (AO), NQual remains committed to ensuring a high-quality, rigorous assessment process that aligns with industry needs. We are working closely with providers and employers to ensure a smooth transition.
For further guidance on how these reforms may impact your apprenticeship programmes, contact NQual today.
Please ensure you check official sources and updated guidance from Department for Education.
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