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 set out by the DfE. These updated guidelines mean adult apprentices (aged 19 and over) no longer need to pass Functional Skills English and maths to complete their apprenticeship. While these qualifications are still required for apprentices aged 16–18, they are now optional for adults.

This shift will impact apprenticeship providers, with fewer learners needing to take Functional Skills exams. As a result, keeping in-house testing facilities may become financially unsustainable due to the reduced number of exam participants.

Impact on Training Providers

Decline in Exam Registrations

With the Relaxed Functional Skills Rules for apprentices, fewer adult learners will be required to take Functional Skills exams, leading to a decline in exam registrations for training providers.

Increased Costs for In-House Testing

In-house exams come with fixed costs such as exam board fees, administrative staff salaries, and per-exam charges. With fewer learners taking exams, maintaining internal testing services may no longer be cost-effective. A more viable solution might be to switch to a pay-per-exam model, like Pass Functional Skills (PFS).

Cost-Effective Solution: Pay-Per-Exam with PFS

By adopting a pay-per-exam model such as PFS, providers can save on:

• Annual exam board fees
• Administrative salaries
• Overhead costs of running in-house exams

This system allows providers to pay only when exams are required, ensuring compliance while reducing costs.

Conclusion: Adapting to Functional Skills Changes

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

By transitioning to a pay-per-exam model, providers can adjust to these changes, reduce their costs, and streamline the Functional Skills assessment process.

Find Out More

Contact Pass Functional Skills today at 020 4574 9155 to find out 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 could affect your organization.

Written by

PassFunctionalSkills Team

We help thousands of students get their Functional Skills Qualifications.