Apprenticeship reforms: key standards prioritised to have assessment plans released
Skills England has published a list of the first apprenticeship standards selected for revision under the apprenticeship assessment reform programme.
09 January 2026
On 17 December, Skills England published a list of the first apprenticeship standards selected to undergo assessment reform as part of the wider apprenticeship reforms.
Spanning multiple sectors, Skills England has prioritised 93 standards so far, of which City & Guilds operates in 27 and will be looking to expand into more.
The list also includes a further 40 construction and the built environment standards slated for reform following a dedicated task force review. Skills England has said feedback from an assessment reforms pilot highlighted a need to review construction apprenticeship content to better reflect evolving industry requirements. As a result, assessment reforms in the construction sector will begin once the task force of industry and regulatory stakeholders has completed its work.
What this update means for you
At this stage, no action is required from providers, training centres, or employers. The Skills England announcement gives early visibility of the standards being prioritised to be ‘revised, adjusted or retired’ as the reforms progress to help organisations plan for the future.
City & Guilds is reviewing assessment plans and end-point assessments
As Skills England goes through the process of revising and releasing standards and apprenticeship assessment plans, City & Guilds will review those that are published with the aim of expanding our apprenticeship provision for customers. For example, City & Guilds is currently scoping the new level 4 Artificial intelligence and automation practitioner standard and assessment plan [ST1512] - released in December 2025.
As new standards are published, existing standards continue to be revised by Skills England. It is a dynamic picture, with City & Guilds taking the opportunity to review and consider involvement in additional standards not previously entered. For example, the level 2 Welder standard [ST0349], with a recent EPA release, was also included on the Skills England list of 93 standards to have an apprenticeship assessment plan prioritised - City & Guilds is now scoping this standard as a possible new development alongside existing standards for pipe welding and plate welding.
Standards already approved by Skills England are also being factored in to City & Guilds reviews. For example, the level 3 Mechatronics maintenance technician, and the various level 3 Engineering maintenance technician standards are being scoped by City & Guilds for feasibility.
Our scoping and review process considers a wide range of factors before it hits our development pipeline, including:
- Feedback from customers and centres
- Advice from our industry boards
- Estimated demand for the standard
- Progression pathway opportunities
- Alignment with our existing portfolio and development roadmaps.
‘Being on the front foot means not only responding to reform but actively helping our customers navigate it with clarity and confidence. We remain fully committed to the sectors we currently support, while also exploring new opportunities in partnership with our customers’
Mandy Smith, Executive Director, Customer Solutions, City & Guilds
Leading the way in apprenticeships
The objective of the reforms is to ensure apprenticeship assessment remains robust, relevant, and aligned with employer needs as the system evolves. As reforms progress, we will continue to engage in open conversations with Skills England, employers and providers, ensuring decisions are informed, practical, and focused on long-term success.
As the largest end-point assessment organisation (EPAO), our commitment to apprenticeships is unwavering. This was recently recognised in industry news highlighting how City & Guilds is once again leading the apprenticeship market. Our scale, expertise, and sector insight place us in a strong position to support high-quality assessment through periods of change.
Stay informed and prepared
As change can be uncertain, we are focused on giving clear, timely, and practical guidance at every step - be the first to know about key changes, expert perspectives, and product innovations shaping the future of apprenticeships: