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 stated by the DfE. These changes mean adult apprentices (aged 19 and over) are no longer required to pass Functional Skills English and maths to complete their apprenticeship. While these qualifications are still necessary for apprentices aged 16–18, they are now optional for those 19 and older.

This change will affect apprenticeship providers, leading to fewer learners taking Functional Skills exams. As a result, maintaining in-house testing facilities may become financially unfeasible due to the lower number of exam participants.

Impact on Training Providers

Decrease in Exam Participation

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

Higher Costs for In-House Testing

Operating in-house exams involves fixed costs, such as exam board fees, administrative staffing, and per-exam charges. With fewer learners taking exams, maintaining in-house exam services may no longer be cost-effective. A more efficient alternative could be to switch to a pay-per-exam service, such as Pass Functional Skills (PFS).

Cost-Effective Solution: Pay-Per-Exam with PFS

Adopting a pay-per-exam model like PFS helps providers save money by removing:

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

This model ensures providers only pay when an exam is needed, making it easier to stay compliant while keeping costs manageable.

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 sustainable.

By switching to a pay-per-exam approach, 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 learn more about an affordable, 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 impact your organization.

Written by

Pass Functional Skills Team

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