In the evolving landscape of education, apprenticeships are a highly effective pathway to a successful organisational growth. And one term you’ll often encounter is ‘apprenticeship standard’. For employers new to apprenticeships, understanding this system is crucial for making informed workplace development decisions. But what exactly is an apprenticeship standard?
In this blog, we’ll discuss what they are and how they work. At Damar Training, we’re a leading provider of business and professional apprenticeship standards across England, so we are experts that can support you with everything you need to know.
Understanding apprenticeship standards
The apprenticeship landscape in England transformed dramatically in 2017 with the introduction of the apprenticeship levy and the shift from frameworks to standards. An apprenticeship standard is a comprehensive blueprint that defines exactly what an apprentice must learn to excel in their chosen profession. Unlike the old framework system, which primarily verified existing skills, standards create a clear developmental pathway from novice to competent professional.
Set by Skills England and developed by trailblazer groups of industry experts and employers, each standard serves as a quality-assured national benchmark. This collaborative approach ensures that apprenticeships remain relevant, rigorous, and aligned with real workplace needs.
The key components of every apprenticeship standard
Understanding what an apprenticeship standard is provides a crucial foundation, but to truly grasp its impact and how they operate, it’s essential to delve into its core components.
Knowledge: The foundation
This is the theoretical knowledge that the apprentice must learn and understand. This isn’t just textbook learning – it’s practical, industry-relevant information that directly applies to the job role. For example, a team leader apprentice must learn about stakeholder management, decision-making principles and approaches to management.
Skills: The application
These are the practical, hands-on capabilities that the apprentice must develop. The standard not only sets out the skills required, but also the level to which they must be achieved. For example, data protection apprentices should develop the skills of interpreting regulation and legislation, sharing best practice and advising stakeholders on its application.
Behaviours: The mindset
Beyond knowledge and skills, apprenticeship standards also set out the workplace behaviours and attitudes that are required to perform in the role. Paralegal apprentices, for example, are expected to have a growth mindset and be collaborative and inclusive.
Duties
Recently created or reviewed standards include specific duties that successful apprentices will perform confidently upon completion. These duties ensure that apprentices can immediately contribute to their organisations, using the knowledge, skills and behaviours they have developed.
Assessment
Each standard includes rigorous, objective assessment criteria measured during the end-point assessment. This standardised approach ensures consistency across different training providers and gives employers confidence in their apprentices’ qualifications.
The breadth of opportunity
With over 500 apprenticeship standards spanning virtually every industry, the system offers remarkable diversity. You can search for these on the Skills England website. These range from level 2 foundation and intermediate apprenticeships for entry-level positions to level 7 programmes, equivalent to master’s degrees, for advanced technical and leadership roles.
You can read more information on what the different levels of apprenticeship mean to understand which might suit your needs.
Standards span business and professional services, creative industries, digital industries, care, trades and crafts and many other sectors.
Training providers: Bringing standards to life
Training providers play the critical role of taking the apprenticeship standard and turning it into a structured training plan, which will ensure that the apprentice passes their end-point assessment and, more importantly, is able to perform effectively in their role.
They carefully consider the knowledge, skills and behaviours set out in the standard, along with the capabilities that must be evidenced during assessment. From this, they create structured training programmes that could include one-to-one coaching, group coaching, online learning resources, classroom-based activities, observations and independent learning activities.
At Damar Training, we help organisations grow by providing expertly designed training that maximises the long-term business benefits of developing new and existing staff. So, if you’re an employer looking for an apprentice, you can rely on us to guide you through your apprenticeship journey.
Looking ahead: Key changes for 2025-26
The Apprenticeship Funding Rules published in May 2025 introduced significant changes for apprentices starting between 1 August 2025 and 31 July 2026. These include:
Training time and duration
The previous minimum of six hours a week (on average) of off-the-job training time and a 12-month minimum duration are being replaced by:
- A minimum number of off-the-job training hours for each apprenticeship standard
- A minimum duration of eight months.
Apprentices with relevant prior learning can potentially complete in fewer hours of training, provided there is an absolute minimum of 187 hours of off-the-job training over eight months.
Level 7 changes
From 1 January 2026, level 7 apprenticeships will no longer be eligible for government or Apprenticeship Levy funding for apprentices aged 22 or over on enrolment (or those 25 and over where they are care leavers or have an Education, Health and Care Plan). All existing apprentices are unaffected.
Foundation apprenticeships
The first foundation apprenticeships have been announced – broad-based, shorter form apprenticeships designed for 16–21-year-olds in building and related trades, IT, engineering and manufacturing, and health and social care.
Assessment evolution
End-point assessment is being reformed with expected changes including assessments not always taking place at the end, providers permitted to mark some assessments, assessment methods not necessarily prescribed in the assessment plan, and employers trusted to sign off on behaviours.
Choose Damar Training
Hopefully, this blog has answered your question: ‘What is an apprenticeship standard?’ Apprenticeship standards represent a sophisticated, employer-led approach to developing skilled professionals. They provide clear pathways for career development while ensuring consistent, high-quality outcomes that give employers confidence in their apprentices’ capabilities and qualifications.