City & Guilds statement on changes to apprenticeships

On 11 February 2025, the Department for Education (DfE) published updated apprenticeship funding rules, reflecting in-year changes to maths and English requirements for adult apprentices (those aged 19+ at the start of their apprenticeship). These changes apply immediately to both new and existing adult apprentices.

27 February 2025

City & Guilds welcomes these changes, and the continued government focus, and response to sector feedback on their apprenticeship offer. We welcome this move to reduce complexity and barriers to apprenticeship recruitment, with the understanding that Maths and English remain a vital part of the process for some roles and work best when contextualised to the occupation.

While these core skills remain an important part of the educational mix, we agree that when appropriate it is also important that this does not stop learners then moving to demonstration of workplace competence and attempting their End-Point Assessment if required.

Kirstie Donnelly MBE, CEO of City & Guilds

To find out more visit our Functional Skills webpage