DfE Relaxed Functional Skills Rules for Apprentices

qtsmt Logo
PPRO Team February 7, 2025

DfE Relaxes Functional Skills Requirements for Apprentices – What It Means for Providers

Key Changes to Functional Skills Rules

The government is introducing relaxed Functional Skills rules for apprentices, as outlined by the DfE. This means that adult apprentices (19+) may no longer be required to pass Functional Skills English and maths to complete their apprenticeship. However, these qualifications will remain mandatory for 16–18-year-olds.

This update will have a significant impact on apprenticeship providers, as fewer learners will need to take Functional Skills exams. As a result, running in-house testing may become financially unviable.

What This Means for Training Providers

Reduced Functional Skills Exam Numbers

With fewer adult apprentices needing to complete Functional Skills qualifications, providers will see a decline in exam volumes.

 

Rising Costs for In-House Testing

Managing exams internally comes with several costs, including:

  • Exam board fees
  • Administrative staff expenses
  • Per-exam charges

With a reduced number of learners taking these exams, maintaining an in-house exam system may no longer be cost-effective. A more practical alternative is a pay-per-exam service like Pass Functional Skills (PFS).

 

A Cost-Effective Alternative: Pay-Per-Exam with PFS

Switching to a pay-per-exam model like PFS helps providers eliminate unnecessary costs, such as:

  • Annual exam board fees
  • The need for dedicated administrative staff
  • In-house exam management expenses

Instead, providers only pay when a learner requires an exam, ensuring compliance while significantly reducing operational costs.

A Smarter Way to Manage Functional Skills

The DfE’s relaxed Functional Skills rules for apprentices mark a major shift, removing a key obstacle to apprenticeship completion. However, for training providers, the financial burden of running in-house exams may no longer be sustainable.

By adopting a pay-per-exam model, providers can adapt to these changes, reduce costs, and streamline their Functional Skills delivery.

Find Out More

To learn how Pass Functional Skills can help you manage these changes with a cost-effective, fully managed exam solution, call 020 4574 9155. One of our provider specialists will be in touch to discuss how these changes may impact your organisation.

qtsmt Logo
Written by

QTS Maths Tutor Team

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