The transition for some Apprenticeship End Point Assessment (EAP) plans to Apprenticeship Assessment Plans (AAPs) are now clarified by the latest information from Skills England.
In its most recent guidance, the agency states that the assessment reforms “are designed to create a more balanced and proportionate system that works better for employers and apprentices”. This includes aligning assessment plans to employer’s occupational standards, employer-verified behaviours and assessment during the apprenticeship, not only at the end.
Now, for Level 6 and Level 7 degree apprenticeships, achieving the degree becomes the “sole assessment” for apprenticeship completion, provided the degree is “aligned with the knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs) in the occupational standard”.
And to help employers verify that their apprentices have demonstrated behaviours outlined in the occupational standard, Skills England has issued a checklist with three levels: “not yet meeting expectations”; “developing” and “consistently demonstrated”.
Cogent Skills maintained standards and assessment - latest status
A new AAP is now in place - and active for new starts from 1 November 2026 - for Cogent Skills’ Level 2 science manufacturing process operative apprenticeship. This specifies assessment requirements, performance descriptors and assessment outcomes.
Meanwhile, other Cogent Skills maintained standards currently remain in transition from EPA to AAP:
- Nuclear health physics monitor L2
- Nuclear operative L2
- Engineering maintenance technician - single and dual discipline L3
- Bioinformatics scientist L7
- Clinical pharmacology scientist L7
And standards awaiting transition are:
- Science manufacturing technician L3
- Process industry manufacturing technician L3
- Composites technician L3
- Polymer processing technician L3
- Battery manufacturing technician L3
- Bulk storage terminal technician L3
- Nuclear welding inspection technician L3
- Lab technician L3
- Technician scientist L5
- Scientist L6
- Research scientist L7
In addition, revisions to Cogent Skills apprenticeship standards and EPA to AAP transition is applicable to:
- Manufacturing professional (L6 - previously manufacturing manager)
- Manufacturing professional (L6 - previously science industry process and plant engineer)
- Nuclear welding inspection technician (L3)
- Nuclear technician (L5)
- Nuclear scientist and nuclear engineer (L6)
Non-Cogent Skills-related standards news
The following standards are in revision and waiting to transition from EPA to AAP:
- Business administrator L3
- Corporate responsibility and sustainability practitioner L4 (new version live September 2026)
- Process leader L4
- Quality practitioner L4
- Manufacturing support technician L4
- Project manager L6
- Manufacturing engineer L6
Meanwhile, these standards are due to go into revision:
- Data analyst L4
- Data scientist L6
- Digital and technology solutions professional L6
Government funding has been withdrawn for the following non-Cogent Skills standards:
- Facilities management supervisor L3 (from 1 September)
- Chartered manager L6 (from 1 September)
And that applies for candidates aged 22 and above for:
- Senior leader L7
- Sustainability business specialist L7
- Digital and technology solutions specialist L7
- AI specialist L7
For more information about how these changes will affect you as a science-based employer, contact [email protected]
