Important Upcoming Changes to Apprenticeships

The Department for Education (DfE) has released the 2025-2026 Apprenticeship Funding Rules, setting out important changes that will impact how apprenticeships are delivered, funded, and assessed from 1st August 2025. Weston College can support you with these changes – which are the most significant since the funding reform in 2017.

To help you to understand how this could affect you, we have provided a summary of the key updates and their implications for employers and their new apprentices below. The new rules will apply to any apprenticeships starting on or after 1 August 2025; apprentices who began their programmes prior to this date will continue to follow the rules that were in place at the time they started.

Minimum Duration and Prior Learning: A More Flexible Model

From 1 August 2025, apprenticeships can now be as short as 8 months, provided they still meet key training requirements. This is a significant change from the current 12-month minimum, so what exactly will be changing?

• Prior learning must be assessed and recorded. Where prior experience shortens the programme, providers must show a reduction in both content and cost.
• The minimum eligibility for apprenticeship funding now stands at 8 months or 187 off-the-job (OTJ) training hours.
• If an apprentice has no prior learning, they must receive the full published OTJ training hours for that standard.
• Programmes can be delivered flexibly across any timeline (as long as they meet the 8-month minimum), without affecting OTJ hour requirements.

This change offers greater agility in designing apprenticeships tailored to individuals’ starting points, it also means robust initial assessment and clear documentation are more important than ever.

Simplification of Part-Time vs Full-Time OTJ Adjustments

DfE has removed the distinction between full-time and part-time apprenticeships when it comes to OTJ training delivery. This means we no longer need to automatically extend durations for part-time apprentices. Instead, we will ensure the planned training is realistic based on working hours.

Off-the-job training hours: New standard-by-standard requirements

The 20% rule is being phased out, marking a shift in policy. From August, each apprenticeship standard will have its own published minimum OTJ training requirement, removing the need to calculate hours based on working time.

These published figures apply only to apprentices with no relevant prior learning.

In practice, most of these figures remain close to 20% of normal working hours, but this standardisation brings welcome clarity and consistency.

We are here to provide support and guidance through these changes, so please contact apprenticeships@weston.ac.uk or speak to your Account Manager if you have any queries.

Foundation Apprenticeships

Foundation Apprenticeships: A new model for young people

Foundation Apprenticeships (FAs) are a new entry route for young people or those with additional needs. They come with unique rules and funding conditions and are an opportunity to reshape your workforce and support young people into an apprenticeship.

Who’s Eligible?

Young people aged 16-21. Some aged 22-24, including: Those with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), Care leavers and Individuals in or recently released from prison.

Key Features:

• Apprentices can do a Foundation Apprenticeship at the same or lower level than a qualification they already hold, if it develops new knowledge, skills and behaviours.
• Maths and English remain required, but the assessment is not mandatory before completion (though encouraged if appropriate).
• Incentive payments: Up to £2,000 in total is available to employers for eligible learners, plus an additional £666 progression payment for those who go on to a higher-level apprenticeship.

Accelerated Apprenticeships

An accelerated apprenticeship is now officially recognised. These are programmes shortened by at least three months due to prior learning.

In Summary

The 2025-26 apprenticeships represent a shift toward greater flexibility, personalisation, and clarity. They support a more inclusive and responsive apprenticeship system, with key implications for:

• Initial assessment and programme planning
• OTJ training hour calculations
• Eligibility and funding for new Foundation Apprenticeships
• Clearer guidelines on what training activity is funded
• Impending assessment reforms

Remember: They must still meet the minimum 8-month duration and 187 OTJ hour requirement.

If you have any queries about the above information, please contact apprenticeships@weston.ac.uk or your designated Account Manager.