Apprenticeship Reforms Update: March 2026
The apprenticeship reforms are not only a time of change but also of opportunity. As the sector transitions to a more flexible model, apprenticeship assessment will be more timely, proportionate, and efficient.
We’re leading the charge during the reforms. Once a month, we’ll keep you in the loop with a new blog post providing all the details you need to know about in revision and published standards.
We’re also expanding our portfolio of standards to further support your delivery and match the needs of the workforce. Those updates will be posted too.
Completed or published revisions
Three standards completed revision in March 2026, with one (Adult Care Worker) within the TQUK portfolio.
Level 2 Adult Care Worker ST0005 (effective from 27 May 2026)
Level 4 Professional Accounting Technician ST0003 (effective from 27 July 2026)
Level 4 Professional Taxation Technician ST1358 (effective from 27 July 2026)
We currently offer Adult Care Worker, which will now be assessed solely through its mandatory qualification, the Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate. To support your transition to the new model, we’re offering free centre or qualification approval. Click below to find out more.
New or in revision
49 standards have entered the revision phase under the new approach in March 2026. Of this group, only one standard is currently within the TQUK portfolio – Customer Service Practitioner ST0072.
The latest revision report reveals a clear strategic focus by Skills England on the following sectors:
Health and Science: Continued modernisation of clinical and laboratory frameworks.
Land-based and "Green" Sectors: A significant push toward qualifications that support environmental and sustainability goals.
To view the full list of standards in revision, please visit the revisions and adjustments report.
TQUK portfolio expansion
As we progress through a time of significant change and opportunity, we’re expanding our portfolio of standards.
If you want to offer a standard through TQUK that’s not currently part of our portfolio, express your interest by filling in this form.
Other sector news
In this section, we’ll share some key headlines on the apprenticeships reforms from across the sector. To read the full story, click on the headline. This information is also available on the Apprenticeship Hive.
🔗Apprenticeships purge: Team leader and chartered manager among 16 axed standards
The Department for Work and Pensions outlined plans to defund standards from the ‘Professional suite’ and Management, as ministers argue they are not ‘traditional apprenticeships’ and should be employer-funded.
🔗New level 2 admin apprenticeships limited to under-25s
The Level 2 Administration Assistant standard has been announced with a funding band of £4,000. As part of the government’s wider strategy of diverting funds towards early-career individuals, funding eligbility is restricted to learners under the age of 25.
🔗First apprenticeship units limited to ‘strong’ providers
An initial wave of seven apprenticeship units have been released, with a limited group of providers currently eligible to deliver them when they launch in April.
We’re here to support you throughout the reforms. Our Apprenticeship Hive is regularly updated with news and insight from our experts, but if you’d prefer a 121 chat, please get in touch with your Customer Relationship Manager (CRM).