The government has confirmed it will axe English and maths functional skills exit requirements for adult apprentices with immediate effect. Ministers have also revealed that the minimum duration of apprenticeships will be shortened from 12 to eight months from the next academic year.

Firms have welcomed the government’s plans to relax rules around maths and English requirements for apprentices as improving “flexibility and inclusivity”. Apprentices aged 19 and above will no longer be forced to complete English and maths functional skills qualifications in order to qualify,

Under current rules, apprentices must achieve level 1 English and maths functional skills qualifications if they are on a level 2 apprenticeship and did not pass the subjects at GCSE. Similarly, if a learner is on a level 3 or higher apprenticeship, they must achieve functional skills at level 2 to complete their training.