With the change of government after the 2024 General Election, many organisations in the apprenticeship sector are understandably asking what the future holds for apprenticeship funding, including for End Point Assessment (EPA).
In this blog, we’ll answer some of the key questions we’ve received from our users and provide a bit of context around the current landscape. For the latest updates as they emerge, we recommend following the Skills Federation on LinkedIn.
What Has Labour Promised on Apprenticeships and Skills?
Labour’s 2024 manifesto put a spotlight on breaking down barriers to opportunity, with a particular focus on:
- Creating a comprehensive strategy for post‐16 education.
- Guaranteed training, an apprenticeship, or help to find work for all 18- to 21-year-olds
- Establishing Skills England to coordinate business, training providers, unions, and government to ensure a highly trained workforce.
- Devolving adult skills funding to Combined Authorities.
- Transforming FE colleges into specialist Technical Excellence Colleges
- Reforming the Apprenticeship Levy into a flexible Growth and Skills Levy which will allow for up to 50% to be spent on training other than apprenticeships.
What’s happened so far?
Since the election, a huge amount of work has been happening. The King’s speech included announcements about bills for devolution and to set up Skills England, and an interim chair of Skills England has been appointed. However, it’s only been a few short months since the election and it’s going to take time for more detail and concrete plans to emerge.
What’s been announced about EPAs?
There haven’t been any big announcements on funding for EPAs, or for apprenticeships more widely. The Funding Guidance for Apprenticeships for 2024-25 has been released and contains some minor changes but you’ll all be familiar with this already. When it comes to EPA funding, no definitive updates have been announced.
Additionally, we understand the Department for Education (DfE) is currently running EPA-related pilots, as announced in an FE Week article in May. As these discussions evolve, it’s crucial to emphasise the importance of retaining the independence of EPAs, a key point championed by the Skills Federation.
What Can EPAOs and Training Providers Do Now?
While the specifics are still unfolding, there are practical steps organisations can take to stay ready:
Stay Informed – Keep up with the latest from the Department for Education and the Skills Federation to be aware of any new developments.
Review Budgets – Now is a great time to take a close look at your costs and identify areas where efficiencies can be made.
Leverage Technology – Streamline your EPA processes by using a trusted management solution like ACE360. It can reduce admin time, help you stay compliant, and cut operational costs.
Keep Partnerships Strong – Ensure open communication with apprenticeship providers, employers, and key stakeholders to share insights and prepare for any upcoming changes.
Common Questions About EPA Funding in 2024
We’ve been receiving a number of questions from the sector, and here are some of the most frequently asked:
Will EPA funding go up or down?
It’s too early to tell what changes may be made to funding for apprenticeships. The government has been very clear, however, that they are committed to apprenticeships.
Are there going to be changes to the apprenticeship levy?
The government does intend to change the levy and to introduce different, more flexible, options for a proportion of the levy. This will be a big change, and understandably, it will be some time before there are further details available on how this will work. There is no indication currently that this will also involve a change to how EPAs are funded, but we’ll know more over time.
How can we reduce costs without compromising compliance?
One of the best ways to manage costs is by using a platform like ACE360. It helps streamline your EPA management, ensuring regulatory compliance while cutting down on unnecessary admin.
Navigating Uncertainty with ACE360
As the landscape around funding and apprenticeships continues to evolve, it’s important to stay flexible and keep your processes lean. ACE360, powered by the Skills Federation, is the UK’s leading EPA management solution, offering a comprehensive and efficient way to manage your end-point assessments.
Now’s the time to optimise your EPA processes and get ahead of any changes. Get in touch with ACE360 today to learn how we can support your organisation through this period of uncertainty.
