The Department for Education has set out proposals that would significantly change how apprenticeships in England are assessed, with reforms potentially introduced from 2026. For engineering, manufacturing and construction – all safety-critical sectors – these proposals raise important questions about quality, consistency and competence.
At present, apprenticeships include an independent end-point assessment (EPA), designed to provide a robust and consistent measure of an apprentice’s knowledge, skills and behaviours. This independent assessment, carried out separately from the training provider, helps ensure that apprentices completing a standard meet a nationally recognised benchmark.
The proposed changes could see the removal of EPA altogether, replaced by alternative forms of assessment determined by individual assessment organisations. Under the proposals, there may be no single national standard for what is assessed or how it is assessed, with as little as 40% of an apprentice’s competence formally tested. In addition, only a sample of apprentices may be independently assessed, rather than every individual, and employers would become responsible for formally assessing behaviours.
While some sectors have welcomed greater flexibility, employers in engineering, manufacturing and construction have raised concerns that these changes could undermine confidence in apprenticeship outcomes. Risks include inconsistent assessment approaches, reduced assurance of competence, pressure on quality and compliance, and potential misalignment with regulatory requirements in safety-critical roles. There is also concern that apprentices currently on programme could be affected by the timing of the reforms.
Ann Watson, CEO of Enginuity, said:
“Yesterday, Skills England published a list of 93 apprenticeship standards they intend to review, a significant number of which sit within engineering and manufacturing. It is disappointing that, despite the construction sector raising clear concerns, engagement with employers continues to fall short. There is a real need to mobilise employers across the sector so that concerns about the impact on competence are properly understood by Skills England and the Department for Work and Pensions.”
Viki Bell, CEO of the Construction Equipment Association, added:
“Engineering and construction rely on apprenticeships that deliver real, demonstrable competence. Any changes to assessment must be shaped with employers, particularly in safety-critical sectors where consistency and credibility matter. It’s important that employers across the sector engage now, so their concerns are clearly understood by Skills England and those responsible for delivering these reforms. Getting this right is essential if apprenticeships are to remain a trusted route into skilled roles.”
These concerns are set out in more detail in Enginuity’s Apprenticeship Assessment Reform (AAR) guide for employers, which provides a clear summary of the proposed changes and their potential impact on quality and competence across the sector.
Enginuity and the 5% Club are holding a webinar for employers and other stakeholders on 13 January 2026 at 2pm. Skills England will be taking part as a speaker, providing an opportunity for employers to better understand the proposals and feed concerns directly into the discussion.
Webinar registration link:
https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/f57da299-2be1-4a62-b0c3-8dba4dac373e@0b26221c-c008-47b1-94c7-58a0b89761cc
CEA encourages members to engage with this process to help ensure apprenticeships continue to deliver the high standards of competence the sector depends on.