February has been a month focused on collaboration and making new connections as we continue to progress towards the new world of Apprenticeship Assessment. Thank you to those of you who have supported the consultations around the new Early Years Educator plan - the first 'new' Apprenticeship Assessment Plan for Innovate. We really value your insights to ensure we can encourage movement towards a positive outcome for everyone. 

In March we are really excited to be launching a new website, which will ensure we can keep you all up to date with the changes which are coming, and new products and services we are launching.

Alongside the website, the look and feel of these newsletters will be changing. In order to still receive newsletters from us, please click here and confirm your details, so we can continue to contact you by email.

Also next month we are heading to the Apprenticeships and Training Conference in Liverpool. If you’ll be there too please do come and say hi – it would be great to spend some time with you. To all of our partners who are shortlisted for the Apprenticeship & Training Awards, I would like to extend a huge congratulations. I look forward to celebrating with you on the night.

Operational changes/reminders

Reasonable Adjustment Request Process

From 1st April 2026 all Reasonable Adjustment requests must be submitted through epaPRO. Any forms received via email will be rejected and will be redirected to epaPRO.

A guidance document and supporting video are available within the Guidance category of Support Materials on epaPRO, named:

• Reasonable Adjustment Process for Providers - Apprenticeship Assessment

• VIDEO: How to submit a Reasonable Adjustment request on epaPRO

Standards Updates

Changes to Standards:

• Level 4 Buying and Merchandising v1.0 - Following an internal review there will be an update to this standard with new themes. This is expected to launch in Spring 2026.

• Level 2 Production Chef v1.0 and v1.1 test - A review of the multiple-choice test questions has taken place to improve accessibility of the test.

• Level 4 Hospitality Manager v1.0 - A review of the multiple-choice test questions has taken place to improve accessibility of the test.

• Level 3 Production Assistant v1.3 - This is a new version of the standard however the only change is the 8-month minimum duration.

Changes to Support Materials:

• Level 3 Customer Service Practitioner (all versions) - Revised Apprentice Assessment Guidance – Work Based Project

• Level 2 Trade Supplier v1.0 - Materials rebranded, including new assessment content criteria to support delivery of assessment methods

• Level 4 Lead Practitioner in Adult Care (all versions) - Observation Plan and Guidance V3 – Updated to include apprentice name and signature. This version must be used for successful gateway. Please use V3 as soon as possile. V2 will no longer be accepted from 31st March 2025.

Previous Standard Versions

In line with our Position Statement on Version Control of IfATE Apprenticeship Assessment Plans, our last registration / gateway date on epaPRO is set based on the typical duration of the apprenticeship from the latest start date for the version, plus an additional 12 months. We have a number of apprenticeship versions with a Last registration / last gateway date coming up in the next 6 months:

Standard and Last registration / gateway

Level 5 Healthcare Assistant Practitioner v1.0 31/09/2026

Level 7 Game Programmer v1.1 12/02/2026

Level 3 Senior Healthcare Support Worker v1.3 02/04/2026

Level 3 Team Leader or Supervisor V1.1 20/04/2026

Level 2 Community Activator Coach V1.0 12/05/2026

Level 3 Customer Service Specialist V1.0 11/05/2026

Level 2 Community Activator Coach V1.1 20/06/2026

Level 4 Lead Practitioner in Adult Care 21/06/2026

Level 2 Retailer V1.1 28/08/2026

Level 3 Retail Team Leader V1.1 16/08/2026

Apprentices should be submitted through gateway before this date at the latest to ensure we can carry out End-point Assessment.

Forms and Policies

Special Consideration Forms for Breaks in Assessment

From 2nd March 2026 we will no longer require a Special Consideration form to be completed for apprentices who require a break in assessment. Instead, we will accept an email from the Provider requesting the break in assessment with a brief explanation as to why the break is required (for example, maternity leave, seconded to another role for a period of time, signed off work sick). Once received, a note will be added to the apprentice’s profile, and they will then be suspended.