English and maths apprenticeship reforms: 24-25 rules updated

 

What does the update say: 

 

 

Only apprentices who began their apprenticeship training when aged 16 to 18 will continue to be subject to the mandatory requirement to study towards and achieve English and maths. 

 

Apprentices who began their training when aged 19 or older, and their employer, can still choose to study towards English and maths qualifications if they wish, but the choice is optional. 

 

DfE will continue to fund adult apprentices who take up this option at the current rate. 

 

The change is effective as of February 11, 2025 and applies to new starts as well as existing learners on-programme. 

 

Where an apprentice restarts, DfE said it will use the “age they originally started their apprenticeship training to determine whether it is a mandatory requirement of the programme”. 

 

 

Where an apprentice, and their employer, wish English and / or maths to be included this must be agreed as part of the initial assessment for new starts. 

 

DfE said it must also be clear in the training plan whether English and / or maths has been included in the planned delivery. 

 

Evidence requirements now state that providers must document the discussion between the employer and apprentice and record the outcome regarding English and maths for adult apprentices. 

 

Existing apprentices must continue their English and maths training “until agreed otherwise”. 

 

By April 1, 2025, the provider “must discuss the options to continue with English and maths training or to remove it from the training plan, with the employer and the apprentice”. 

 

Where it is agreed that an apprentice will not continue their English and maths training, the provider must “withdraw them back to the last day of English and maths learning and no further funding will be paid”. 

 

Where English and / or maths is removed from the training plan the employer must also re-sign the training plan. 

 

And where an apprentice aged 19+ at the start of their apprenticeship training, studies toward English and maths, providers must “provide evidence of apprentice undertaking assessment”. 

 

 

The Linden Team have already implemented changes to systems and documents in line with the updated funding rules, communication to learners and employers has begun with revised training plans being completed for those opting out. 

 

Linden is seeing the majority of our employers encourge learners who have started Functional Skills to conitnue to develop those skills and achieve, but the rule change has been welcomed where Functional Skills was a barrier to achievement. 

 

If you would like to discuss these changes and what it means for your apprentices, please reach out to your account manager or contact us below: