There are a number of important development on the horizon for the year ahead and science employers should be aware of them and their implications as we move into 2025.

Goodbye IfATE, hello Skills England

Firstly, the Bill which will effectively wind down the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) continues to make its way through parliament.

The draft legislation went through its first reading, second reading and committee stages before Christmas. While the exact timeline for the coming months is yet to be confirmed, once the bill is passed IfATE’s powers and responsibilities will be transferred to Skills England (which has just announced its new top team – see here).

Skills England is being established as part of the government’s mission to grow and improve opportunities for all. The body will work across government departments, as well as with the Industrial Council and Migration Advisory Committee to fully understand skills gaps, identify national and regional priorities, and advise on the new Growth and Skills levy (which will replace the Apprenticeship Levy – including what training programmes will be fundable in the future). Since September, after it published its first report, Skills England has undertaken a series of roundtables across the economy and has requested key information linked to L7 apprenticeship funding and priorities within the industrial strategy.

The end of the ESFA

In a further change to the landscape, the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) will close on March 31 and its functions will be transferred to the central Department of Education.

Established in 2017, the ESFA has administered funding to deliver education and skills from early years through adulthood. This change, which the government announced last September, will give providers a central point of contact for funding and support.

A new-look Ofsted

Changes to Ofsted announced last year will continue: the new ‘report card’ system has been launched and this summer the new inspection framework will be trialled, ahead of its planned introduction in September.

These changes are being guided by three key objectives: to reset relationships with providers and settings it regulates and inspects, working collaboratively to put children and learners first; to foster a culture of integrity in which people are always treated with professionalism, courtesy, empathy and respect; and to be a learning organisation that operates transparently, listens to challenge and takes action to change.

Other things to watch out for

• The Chancellor of the Exchequer will deliver a Spring Statement on March 26, with a Spending Review following in June. Both announcements could significantly impact the skills landscape over the coming years, particularly around the new Growth and Skills Levy (which will replace the Apprenticeships Levy) and the greater flexibility that it should deliver for employers.

• The government is also due to deliver a Curriculum and Assessment Review in 2025, with an interim report in the spring followed by a full report in the autumn.

• Alongside the Spending Review, the government is due to publish a new 10-year Industrial Strategy (following a consultation on the draft document late last year). Skills is one of the key areas under consideration.

• There could be changes ahead around maths and English within apprenticeships – government announced the rules were under review in September.

Standards coming and going

Finally, this year will also see changes to a number of standards. Several Level 3 standards across process manufacturing and maintenance will be launched, with original standards including ST0154 (Maintenance and Operations Engineering Technician) and ST0249 (Science Industry Maintenance Technician) being retired later this year.

We will also see the full launch of the replacement Science Manufacturing Technician suite and the new Scientist apprenticeship launching in the spring to replace the ST0626 Laboratory Scientist degree apprenticeship.

We hope this has been a useful primer for what 2025 has in store. Cogent Skills will of course support employers in understanding the impact of any changes.

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