As we move through the early part of 2026, we wanted to share an update on where things are and what we’ve been seeing over the last few months.

It has been a busy start to the year. We have seen continued growth in assessments and welcomed new customers on board, while also hearing really positive feedback on the resources shared at the end of last year. It has been great to hear how they are being used in practice and where they are helping to bring a bit more clarity to EPA.

Alongside the day-to-day, a lot of work has been happening behind the scenes on the reforms. While that has not always been visible, it has been a clear focus for us as things move from discussion into something more real.

Where Things Have Moved On

Since our last update, the requirements from Skills England and the updated conditions from Ofqual have now been published. This gives a much clearer framework for how apprenticeship assessment will operate under the reforms.

What this tells us in practice:

Assessment outcomes. Assessment is now structured around outcomes rather than assessing every individual knowledge and skill. We are required to assess all outcomes, but not every element for every apprentice.

Assessment design. Assessment organisations are responsible for designing how assessment works, including how outcomes are assessed and how evidence is generated.

Assessment methods. Multiple assessment methods can be used against a single outcome, allowing more flexibility to reflect real job roles.

Grading. Grading is aligned to performance descriptors, with fail, pass and distinction only. This places greater emphasis on consistency in grading decisions.

Mandatory qualifications. Where qualifications do not fully cover the standard, assessment will still take place to confirm occupational competence.

English and maths. Particularly at level 2 and 3, aspects such as verbal communication may be evidenced through assessment. This is not mandatory in all cases, but is now part of the design consideration.

Taken together, this provides a clearer picture of how assessment will be structured and where responsibility sits as we move into delivery.

Our Approach to the Reforms

As we have worked through the detail, we have kept coming back to three simple objectives.

First, assessment needs to be simple to deliver. Not easy, but clear. We have focused on removing unnecessary duplication and making sure expectations are easy to understand in practice.

Second, it needs to be fair to assess. That means giving apprentices a genuine opportunity to demonstrate what they can do, rather than relying on overly narrow or repetitive approaches.

Third, it needs to be consistent. With assessment plans becoming less prescriptive, there is a risk of variation. Our focus has been to design an approach where grading and decisions remain consistent, regardless of how evidence is generated.

These three principles have guided how we have built our model and how we are approaching each standard.

We Are Ready to Deliver

Following the further guidance from Skills England and Ofqual’s Regulatory Framework for Apprenticeship Assessment, we can confidently say that we are ready.

Up to now, progress minded has been involved in 10 Trailblazer groups (now also known as Group of Persons/GOPs) actively revising apprenticeship standards to embed the apprenticeship principles.

We have developed and tested our approach, and we are already working with providers delivering under the new principles. The AI and Automation Practitioner standard is a clear example, with partners delivering and more providers preparing to start.

What we are seeing in practice is that providers want clarity on how this works day to day. Not just the theory, but how assessment will actually run, what is expected, and how apprentices will be supported.

That is what we have focused on.

For example, we have looked closely at where duplication can be reduced, how assessment can be structured around outcomes rather than long lists, and how different methods can be used together to give a fuller picture of competence.

We may have spoken to some of you already, sharing our approach and design work. The feedback has been really positive, and some providers are now actively planning and/or delivering. If you want to have a conversation, reach out to hear more.

Work with Us on the Reforms

We are already working with providers who are planning and delivering under the new principles, and those early conversations have been really valuable.

If you are starting to think about delivery, or want to understand how this will work in practice, we would encourage you to get in touch.

We are happy to talk through the approach, answer questions and help you plan with confidence.

You can contact the EPA Team at EPATeam@progressminded.co.uk or Laura at Laura.Thurlow@progressminded.co.uk to start that conversation.

A Continued Partnership

The reforms represent a significant shift, but they do not change the importance of getting assessment right for apprentices.

Our focus is to provide stability through that change. To stay close to the detail, keep things clear, and support you in delivering with confidence.

We are working on this together, and we are committed to making the transition as smooth and as straightforward as possible.

We look forward to continuing that work with you over the coming months.

Warm regards, the progress minded team