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?
The government has closed IfATE. Here’s what the IfATE (Transfer of Functions etc) Act 2025 means for employers, training providers, and apprentices like those in the shopfitting industry.
What Does This Mean?
1. All Decisions Now Centralised
The Secretary of State will now be responsible for:
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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
2. New Role for “Skills England”
Some functions will be carried out by a new executive agency called Skills England, working under the Secretary of State. The government will publish a report within six months to explain how this will work.
3. Faster Decision-Making Possible
Previously, groups of employers (called “trailblazers”) developed apprenticeship standards and assessment plans. That can still happen – but now the Secretary of State can step in and write them directly if there are delays or gaps in coverage.
This could lead to faster development of standards, especially for niche or emerging trades where no trailblazer group exists.
4. Regular Reviews Scrapped
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.
5. Independent Checks Still Allowed
The Secretary of State can still call in independent third parties to examine standards or assessment plans to make sure they meet industry needs.
6. Ofqual Needs Permission
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.
Why It Matters for Shopfitters
These changes could make the system:
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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
If you rely on apprentices or are considering becoming a training provider, this new structure could make it simpler and quicker to get new apprenticeship routes approved in specialist areas like shopfitting.
What’s Next?
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.
If you’d like help understanding how this might affect your current apprenticeships or qualification development plans, please get in touch with the NAS skills lead – amanda@shopfitters.org
