What’s in a name…? A lot for the Apprenticeship Providers and Assessment Register (APAR)

In late 2023, the Government simplified complex and bureaucratic aspects of the apprenticeships system, to increase efficiency. 

It has effectively merged the Register of Approved Training Providers (RoATP) and the End-Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO) register - creating a single register called the Apprenticeship Providers and Assessment Register (APAR). 

APAR comprises essential information - once held across both organisations - all in one place. This includes a list of all training providers - independents, colleges, universities, and employer providers - which are approved to deliver apprenticeship training funded by the government. APAR also includes a list of EPAOs.  

This change brings many benefits to organisations involved with delivering apprenticeships:  

• Flexibility - Providers, as well as employers, will be able to select the appropriate EPAO to deliver apprentices' end-point assessments. Previously, training providers had to prove that employers had chosen the correct EPAO. The default is that training providers choose the EPAO, but employers can still do so if they wish.  

• Streamlining - New EPAOs will only need to create an account on the apprenticeship service to confirm their place on the register. They will not have to undertake two application processes.  

The changes have been supported by regulatory bodies such as Ofqual and the Office for Students, both of which worked with the Department for Education in its implementation.  

So, what's changed? 

• Automation - When an organisation receives recognition for a standard from Ofqual or the OfS they will automatically be placed onto the list of approved EPAOs. DfE has merged this list with the ROATP to create the apprenticeship providers and assessment register' (APAR). 

• Transfer - Apprenticeship providers which had previously been approved on RoATP are automatically approved on APAR. 

• Data updates - The register will be maintained automatically via data exchanges between regulators and the awarding bodies. 

What's stayed the same? 

While the name of the register has changed, the application process for apprenticeship providers and supporting providers remains unchanged:  

• Register for funding - Organisations will still have to register to receive government funding for training apprentices. 

• Use of online resources - Levied employers still select the right training providers for them online - only it's now called APAR, not RoATP. 

• Commitment to high standards - Training providers, employer providers and organisations nominated by employers (usually where there are gaps in provision) wishing to join the APAR still commit to achieving high standards on capacity and capability. They must:  

• Provide a quality apprenticeship as described by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE)  

• Agree to the conditions of acceptance for the APAR 

What you need to do  

The new arrangements are being refined all the time. 

Whether you're a main provider, employer provider or a supporting provider, the best place to go is the government site on how to Apply to the APAR as an apprenticeship training provider - GOV.UK