The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) is no more, following its closure on 1st June 2025 and transition to Skills England.
Skills England’s mission is to build our nation’s skills, enabling growth and opportunity. Helping businesses to boost their workforce and get more people into skilled jobs faster, enabling prosperity. Working across government, Skills England will ensure both young people and adults have clear education and training pathways, by supporting employers to equip their domestic workforce with the skills they need.
What’s Happening?
What Does This Mean?
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Approving apprenticeship standards and assessment plans
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Overseeing technical education qualifications
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Maintaining the official lists of standards and qualifications
This could lead to faster development of standards, especially for niche or emerging trades where no trailblazer group exists.
The requirement for regular reviews of apprenticeship standards and technical qualifications has been removed. Reviews can still happen – but only when needed, not on a fixed timetable.
The Secretary of State can still call in independent third parties to examine standards or assessment plans to make sure they meet industry needs.
Ofqual (the qualifications regulator) can only accredit certain technical education qualifications if the Secretary of State gives the green light. This ensures better alignment between education and national skills priorities.
What it means for shopfitters
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More streamlined and responsive to labour market needs
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Easier for new standards to be created when needed
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More centrally managed, with less reliance on volunteer-led industry groups
The law came into effect in May 2025, and more updates (including how Skills England will operate) are expected soon. The NAS will continue to monitor developments to ensure our members are kept informed and supported.
