Insights

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.

PAL's Summer Update is now available where PAL talks AI in assessment, launches Coaching Professional Level 5 EPA and further PAL updates.  Click here to view the update.

Version 1 of the 2024 to 2025 Funding Rules have been released from the ESFA.  Click here to read PAL's Audit & Compliance guide to the changes. Click here for the full version of the Funding Rules 2024 to 2025.

PAL's Spring Update is now available where PAL celebrates completing 10,000 assessments, key funding & compliance updates plus information on upcoming coming webinars and PAL updates.  Click here to view the update.

A revised version of the Early Years Educator ST0135 Level 3 Standard will go live for all apprenticeship starts from 1st April 2024. The table below provides a summary of the key changes between the current version and the revised version. Please note that the revised version includes a change to the required knowledge, skills, and behaviours.  View our [...]

PAL's Compliance team has been able to obtain an early glimpse at the latest ESFA audit working papers for 2023-2024. Our experience of conducting mock ESFA funding audits for our clients has given us the insight to deconstruct the working papers to help providers understand and prepare for the ESFA's audit focus for 2023-24, and set out any shift [...]