The apprenticeship landscape is once again in the spotlight, and not just for the long-term reforms slowly making their way through policy channels. This time, providers across the sector are facing a dual challenge: preparing for the future while urgently adapting to changes that impact delivery immediately.
It’s crucial to distinguish between what’s coming and what’s already here, especially when the “here and now” could threaten your programme funding and compliance.
A sector on the move, so what’s changing?
Since 2017, apprenticeship planning has remained relatively stable. But in 2025–26, we’re seeing a substantial change which will impact all key stakeholders within the apprenticeship world. The notable changes are:
- Programme structure and curriculum design
- Off-the-job (OTJ) training calculations
- Minimum duration rules
- Assessment and inspection frameworks
While some of these reforms are on the horizon, one major change is already knocking at the door, and it feels somewhat lost ‘amongst the noise’ in the sector – the move from averaged OTJ hours to published minimums per standard.
This is one change that curriculum, employer engagement and compliance teams would be wise to prioritise now.
Off-the-job hours shortfall
Let’s get straight to the point.
From 1 August 2025, every new apprenticeship start must meet the new minimum OTJ training hours, as published per standard (with prior learning, that number could be reduced). These newly published figures are actually lower than the OTJ hours they have traditionally delivered.
You might ask: “Isn’t that good news? Less to plan?”
Unfortunately, no — because this shift creates a dangerous mismatch.
What’s the risk?
Two scenarios…
- You could be under-planning with your existing curriculum, making your new starts non-compliant and potentially ineligible for funding (auditors will be watching for under-planning closely).
or
- You may be over-planning your curriculum unnecessarily, misaligning effort and funding.
This is not just a planning headache; it’s a bottom-line issue. Learners starting from August 2025 without the correct OTJ allocation risk will invalidate your entire delivery for those cohorts.
The sector’s blind spot – are we missing the ‘NOW’?
David Lockhart-Hawkins, a leading voice in compliance, puts it bluntly:
“The reality is that assessment reform is a tomorrow problem. It is coming soon, but the shortfall in off-the-job hours for many providers is a today problem.”
And he’s right. While it’s tempting to focus energy on long-term reform and resource that project effectively, the immediate risk lies in failing to meet OTJ requirements for new starters. This is hugely important to the financial risk of providers and the expectations we have of our employers.
Off-the-job training. What do we need to know?
Let’s unpack this further and provide some clarity.
What counts as “Off-the-Job” training
Planned activity should sit clearly in your agreed training plan, not simply hours. OTJ training can include a range of activities that take the learner away from their usual job role, such as:
- Shadowing and mentoring
- Online learning and independent study
- Project work linked to the apprenticeship standard
- Practical skills development in simulated environments
Why is tracking so important?
It’s not just about planning; it’s about evidencing. If you’re not accurately capturing and documenting OTJ hours that align with the new minimums, you could be:
- Falling short of compliance
- Exposing your funding to clawback
- Failing learners by under-delivering
Let’s not forget — minimum OTJ hours are changing again in January 2026. For some standards, the numbers go up mid-year, meaning you may have two versions of your curriculum in play. If redesigning your curriculum now, consider the changed number in January and how that will inform your work.
This isn’t just complexity for complexity’s sake; it requires clarity in planning, delivery, and funding claims. Getting it wrong could cost you time, money, and reputation.
Get support with addressing sector challenges: for today, and tomorrow
The TODAY Challenge:
Understanding Apprenticeship Off-the-Job Training in 2025/26
Our upcoming session on Off-the-Job training in 2025/26 covers everything you need to know to address this challenge:
We’ll help you to understand:
- The newly published minimums for OTJT
- The transition timeframe
- Rules on planning and distributing off-the-job hours
- How to apply recognition of prior learning to content and price
- Monitoring ‘Active learning’ in 25-26
- How to use the new rules to open up new opportunities for business
The TOMORROW Challenge:
Minimum hours for some standards are different up to the end of December, and then are increased from January 2026. This will have a knock-on effect on your curriculum design and delivery.
This practical workshop helps you map, sequence and refine your programme in line with the coming sector changes – without adding unnecessary workload:
Curriculum Design for the New Apprenticeship Landscape
We’ll take you through:
- Building assessment into your curriculum from the outset.
- Designing learning activities and content that develop the right competencies.
- Linking sequencing and delivery to on-programme assessment points.
- Using digital tools to save time and improve planning.
- Stripping out “filler” and focusing on what works.