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 defined by the DfE. Under these revised rules, adult apprentices (aged 19 and over) are no longer required to pass Functional Skills English and maths in order to complete their apprenticeship. While these qualifications remain mandatory for apprentices aged 16–18, they are now optional for adults.

This change will have a considerable impact on apprenticeship providers, reducing the number of learners taking Functional Skills exams. As a result, maintaining in-house testing facilities may no longer be financially viable due to a decrease in exam participants.

Impact on Training Providers

Reduced Exam Registrations

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

Increased Costs for In-House Testing

Operating in-house exams involves fixed costs, such as exam board fees, administrative salaries, and per-exam charges. With fewer learners taking exams, sustaining internal testing services may no longer be cost-effective. A solution could be switching 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, like PFS, providers can cut costs by removing:

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

This model ensures providers only pay when an exam is needed, maintaining compliance while managing costs efficiently.

Conclusion: Adapting to Functional Skills Changes

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

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

Find Out More

Contact Pass Functional Skills today at 020 4574 9155 to discover a cost-effective, fully managed Functional Skills exam solution. Alternatively, fill out the contact form below, and one of our specialists will reach out to discuss how the Relaxed Functional Skills Rules for apprentices may affect your organization.

Written by

Online Exams Team

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