The apprenticeship reforms continue to evolve, and so does our approach.
Since launching our assessment model, we’ve spoken with training providers, employers and sector partners across the country. The response has been incredibly positive, particularly around one theme: flexibility matters.
Providers told us they valued having genuine choice in how assessment can be delivered, rather than being forced into a single model. That’s why flexibility remains at the heart of our reforms approach, and continues to be one of the features that sets progress minded apart.
As reforms continue, we’re committed to building on that flexibility, giving providers options that work for their delivery model, employers and apprentices.
We’re pleased to confirm that provider choice remains at the heart of our approach. In fact, following further feedback and collaboration, we’ve refined our model to make it even stronger.
You Said, We Did
We love having a choice of assessment methods. We kept it. Providers can still choose the assessment methods that best suit their delivery model, where assessment plans allow.
We like the grading model and how it focuses on occupational competence. We kept it. Our grading approach remains unchanged and continues to focus on what apprentices can do, not just what they can remember.
We want assessment to fit naturally into the apprentice journey. We changed how assessment outcomes are grouped, allowing assessments to take place at the point they best align with teaching, learning and curriculum delivery.
We don’t want one assessment method carrying too much of the assessment burden. We moved away from a mandatory versus non-mandatory model and now group assessment outcomes based on best fit. This creates a more balanced assessment experience across the available methods.
We want assessment methods to assess the things they are best designed to assess. Assessment outcomes are now grouped together where they naturally belong, allowing apprentices to demonstrate competence through the most appropriate method.
We want a partner who listens and evolves with the reforms. We listened, reviewed the feedback and refined the model, while protecting the flexibility providers told us they valued most.
What This Means in Practice
The biggest change is how assessment outcomes are allocated.
Originally, mandatory knowledge and skills were grouped into one assessment method, with non-mandatory knowledge and skills assessed through the second method. Following provider feedback, we’ve moved to a best-fit model.
Assessment outcomes that naturally belong together are now assessed together, using the assessment method most suited to assessing them.
This creates a more balanced assessment experience, supports curriculum design, aligns more naturally to teaching and learning, and allows assessment activity to take place at the right point in the apprentice journey.
Most importantly, it achieves all of this while protecting the flexibility providers told us they valued from the very beginning.
What Hasn’t Changed
Some of the most popular features of our reforms approach remain exactly the same:
- Flexible assessment method choices remain available
- The grading model remains unchanged
- Assessment continues to focus on occupational competence
- Providers retain flexibility to select the approach that works for them
- We continue to work with providers as reforms develop
Flexibility Remains Our Guiding Principle
Every provider is different. Every curriculum is different. Every apprentice journey is different.
That’s why we’ve never believed reforms should force providers into a single way of working. Our approach is built around flexibility, collaboration and common sense.
As reforms continue to develop, we’ll continue listening, sharing updates and refining our approach where it improves the experience for providers, employers and apprentices.
Proficient Update
Alongside our reforms work, we’re pleased to confirm that our migration from ACE360 to Proficient continues to progress well. The live platform is now ready ahead of the planned launch on 15 June.
Training Webinar Reminder
Our provider training webinar takes place on:
- Date: 12 June 2026
- Time: 11:00am BST
Please register here.
Please register even if you cannot attend live. Everyone who registers will receive access to the recording after the session.
Important Transition Information
As we prepare for launch, we’d like to reassure providers that some of the things you already value aren’t changing.
The booking process remains the same. Apprentices will continue to book their own assessments using our online booking portal. They’ll still be able to view live assessor availability and choose an assessment slot that works for them.
Apprentices already in EPA will remain on ACE360. Any apprentice who is already in gateway and has started their EPA journey will remain on ACE360 until they complete their assessments.
New apprentices should be added to Proficient. Please avoid registering new cohorts on ACE360. From launch, new apprentices should be registered directly within Proficient.
Provider user accounts. If you haven’t already done so, please send us details of the users who require access to Proficient, along with the role or level of access they require. This will help us ensure everyone has the correct permissions ahead of launch. Send these details to Laura Thurlow: laura.thurlow@progressminded.co.uk
We’re here to help. Our team will continue supporting providers throughout the transition. If you have any questions about the move to Proficient, please get in touch.
Thank You
The reforms are still evolving, and we’re grateful to everyone who continues to share ideas, ask questions and provide feedback. The changes we’ve made are a direct result of those conversations.
We’ll continue listening. We’ll continue adapting. And we’ll continue working alongside providers to make apprenticeship assessment simple, fair and human.
Together, we’ll navigate the reforms with confidence.
the progress minded team
