Introduction: Updates to Functional Skills Requirements

The government has introduced Relaxed Functional Skills Rules for Apprentices, as outlined by the DfE. Under these revised regulations, adult apprentices (aged 19 and over) may no longer be required to pass Functional Skills English and maths to complete their apprenticeship. While these qualifications remain mandatory for 16–18-year-olds, they are now optional for adults.

This change will have a significant impact on apprenticeship providers, reducing the number of learners taking Functional Skills exams. As a result, maintaining in-house testing facilities may become financially unsustainable due to lower exam participation.

Impact on Training Providers

Decline in Exam Numbers

With fewer adult apprentices required to complete Functional Skills exams under the Relaxed Functional Skills Rules, training providers will likely see a drop in exam registrations.

Higher Costs for In-House Testing

Managing in-house exams comes with fixed expenses such as exam board fees, administrative staffing costs, and per-exam charges. With fewer learners taking exams, maintaining internal testing may no longer be cost-effective. A more viable solution is transitioning to a pay-per-exam service like Pass Functional Skills (PFS).

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

Adopting a pay-per-exam model like PFS helps providers cut unnecessary costs, eliminating the need for:

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

Instead, providers only pay when an exam is needed, ensuring compliance while managing costs efficiently.

Conclusion: Adapting to Functional Skills Changes

The DfE’s Relaxed Functional Skills Rules for Apprentices represent a major policy shift, removing a key requirement for apprenticeship completion. However, for training providers, sustaining in-house exam operations may no longer be financially viable.

By switching to a pay-per-exam model, providers can efficiently adjust to these changes, reduce costs, and streamline their Functional Skills assessment process.

Find Out More

Contact Pass Functional Skills today at 020 4574 9155 to explore 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.