The evolving role of EPAOs and training providers: thriving under the new assessment rules
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In February 2025, the government announced a significant policy shift that marks a return to a more flexible, collaborative approach to end-point assessment (EPA). Designed to reduce bureaucracy and streamline processes, these reforms enable training providers to take on certain assessment components, such as observations, interviews, and written tests, where appropriate. At the same time, end-point assessment organisations (EPAOs) continue to play a vital role in ensuring the rigour, consistency, and quality of apprenticeship outcomes.
This evolution reflects a broader move towards partnership and shared accountability in apprenticeship delivery, where EPAOs, training providers and employers work more closely than ever to design and implement high-quality assessments that benefit learners and industry alike.
What’s changing?
The new policy framework allows training providers, under certain revised assessment plans, to conduct some elements of the assessments that were traditionally carried out exclusively by the EPAO. These include standardised assessment activities such as observations, professional discussions, and tests, where quality controls and moderation processes can be clearly demonstrated.
The change aims to:
- Improve efficiency and reduce duplication
- Maintain or enhance quality and rigour
- Encourage innovation in assessment design and delivery
- Enable closer alignment between training and assessment
This new model does not reduce the responsibility or accountability of the EPAO. Instead, it reinforces the importance of clear roles, strong communication, and robust quality assurance mechanisms.
The evolving role of EPAOs
As responsibilities become more distributed, the expertise and oversight functions of EPAOs become even more critical. Kaplan Assessments remains at the forefront of this evolving landscape, ensuring that all assessments, whether delivered directly by them or facilitated in partnership, meet the highest standards of validity, reliability, and fairness.
Our focus is on:
- Designing robust, scalable, and quality-assured assessment tools that can be delivered confidently by training providers
- Providing clear guidance, training, and resources to support providers in understanding and applying these tools correctly
- Maintaining moderation and quality assurance frameworks to ensure consistency and comparability across assessments
- Working in close partnership with employers, providers, and sector bodies to ensure assessments remain relevant, rigorous, and responsive to industry needs
Opportunities for training providers
The changes open up new opportunities for training providers to integrate assessment more seamlessly with learning, reduce scheduling pressures, and play a more active role in ensuring their apprentices are fully prepared for success.
By working with an experienced and trusted EPAO like Kaplan Assessments, training providers can:
- Access flexible assessment models tailored to the revised plans
- Gain confidence in quality assurance through shared tools, templates, and standardisation support
- Benefit from ongoing collaboration and expert insight to navigate a shifting regulatory environment
Supporting the future of apprenticeships
Ultimately, these reforms are about strengthening the apprenticeship system, making it more agile, responsive, and aligned with the needs of employers and learners. They call for EPAOs and training providers to move beyond transactional relationships and embrace genuine collaboration.
Kaplan Assessments is ready to lead the way. With a track record of innovation, reliability, and sector expertise, we’re already supporting providers and employers to adapt and thrive under the new framework.
If you're a training provider looking to better understand the changes, or seeking a trusted partner to support your assessment delivery, we’re here to help.
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