As the sector adapts and changes PAL provides a July update to revisit roles and responsibilities of the relevant agencies, as well as taking a further look at the difference between current assessment plans and delivery and the proposed new plans  which we have provided as a PowerPoint presentation. The presentation comes with notes that you can use for [...]

PAL is committed to keep all of our clients informed and engaged during this period of change within the sector- we have therefore put together a list of Frequently Asked Questions. For now, it is business as usual and assessments will continue in their current format, but we want to work with our clients to ensure the changes are [...]

COMING SOON! PAL have been accredited by Skills for Care and Ofqual to offer the Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate qualification. Funding will be available for employers, and the qualification will provide people in care roles with the most up-to-date knowledge and baseline skills they need. You can view PAL's factsheet for the qualification here. If you would [...]

The Next Chapter for Apprenticeships With the official launch of Skills England and the closure of IfATE, the apprenticeship landscape is entering a transformative phase.  The Next Chapter for Apprenticeships, outlines the evolving responsibilities for providers, employers, and assessment organisations (AOs) as the sector adapts to new assessment principles and policy shifts. PAL is actively engaging with clients to navigate these changes [...]

PAL Compliance update June 2025 PAL’s Compliance team have produced a guide document for our stakeholders to provide them insights on the recently published Apprenticeship Funding Rules 2025 to 2026. These include planned hours reform, additional payments, and potential future changes to the rules. PAL Compliance update can be accessed here

A letter from Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson, Secretary of State for Education, to the joint chief executives of Skills England, setting the priorities for Skills England for 2025 to 2026. Skills England will: Be data-driven Use data and insights to inform the development and maintenance of the right skills training Simplify access to skills Mobilise and co-create skills [...]

At PAL, we are uniquely positioned as both an assessment/ awarding organisation and an audit service provider, bringing together the expertise needed to understand how funding rules impact both End-Point Assessment - soon to be assessment - and compliance. This allows us to support both aspects of a provider’s business. So we have produced not one, but two, summary [...]

If anybody is looking for a summary of the changes to the funding rules, and in particular how they might impact EPAOs (sorry... "Assessment Organisations"), please read Jacqui Molekenthin's FE article- a precise summary. As we receive more updates regarding the new assessment approach we will update you and we look forward to working with our clients in a new [...]

PAL’s Compliance team of former DfE auditors has reviewed the DfE audit working papers for 2024 to 2025. We recognise that it’s not enough to merely identify the changes from last year’s audit working papers. Our team have considered the changes and from our colleagues’ first-hand experience of conducting audits for the funding body, we have determined how each new [...]

Dear All, Hospitality Team Member ST0233 Please note that all the options in Hospitality Team Member ST0233 standard are being replaced by two new standards. The following four options will be replaced by ST1488 Food and Beverage Team Member. These four options will remain available for new apprenticeship starts until 31st March 2025.  Option 1 Food and beverage service Option 2 Alcoholic beverage service Option 3 Barista Option 4 Food production These four options will be retired for new apprenticeship [...]

The End-Point Assessment (EPA) is a crucial part of an apprenticeship, marking the culmination of an apprentice's learning journey. It can be a time of both excitement and anxiety.  Click here to read the full article.

National Apprenticeship Week 2025 is a time to celebrate the achievements of apprentices and the positive impact of apprenticeship programmes.  Click here to read the full article.