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 outlined by the DfE. These updated regulations mean that 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 compulsory for apprentices aged 16–18, they are now optional for adults.

This change will have a significant impact on apprenticeship providers, with fewer learners taking Functional Skills exams. As a result, maintaining in-house testing facilities may no longer be financially viable due to the decrease in exam participants.

Impact on Training Providers

Decline in Exam Numbers

With the Relaxed Functional Skills Rules in place, fewer adult apprentices will need to sit Functional Skills exams, leading to a decrease in exam registrations for training providers.

Increased Costs for In-House Testing

Operating in-house exams involves fixed costs, such as exam board fees, administrative salaries, and per-exam charges. With fewer learners taking exams, maintaining internal testing services may no longer be cost-effective. A practical 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 managing in-house exams

This approach allows providers to only pay for exams when needed, ensuring compliance while managing costs effectively.

Conclusion: Adapting to Functional Skills Changes

The Relaxed Functional Skills Rules for apprentices represent a major shift in policy, removing a significant requirement for apprenticeship completion. However, for training providers, maintaining in-house exam operations may no longer be financially viable.

Switching to a pay-per-exam approach will help providers adapt to these changes, lower costs, and streamline the Functional Skills assessment process.

Find Out More

Contact Pass Functional Skills at 020 4574 9155 to learn about an affordable, fully managed Functional Skills exam solution. Alternatively, fill out the contact form below, and one of our specialists will get in touch to discuss how the Relaxed Functional Skills Rules for apprentices might affect your organization.

Written by

A Star Equivalency Team

We help thousands of students each year with revision, courses and online exams.