New OTJT Minimum Hours Coming in 2026: Onefile Makes It Easy

As you know, the DfE’s changes to minimum Off-the-Job Training (OTJT) hours for some apprenticeship starts will come into effect from January 2026. 

So, to make the transition as smooth as possible – and keep you on the right side of the 2025/26 apprenticeship funding rules – Onefile is updating its RPL Funding Calculator and Enrol. 

These updates will be made by the end of November and will see:  

• New DfE minimum OTJT hours added to both Enrol and RPL 
• Enrol apply correct figures based on a learner’s start date 
• Changes to the RPL funding calculator that let you choose which OTJT version you need (Aug–Dec 2025 or Jan 2026+) 
• Clear labelling so you know which version is in use 

OTJT hours have been revised to increase flexibility and cut red tape around apprenticeship delivery. The DfE hopes that by taking out the direct connection between OTJT hours and the length of time it takes tocomplete an apprenticeship, providers can deliver the necessary amount of training over any timespan.  

These changes have also been designed to simplify requirements for those learners on part-time apprenticeships, removing the need for an automatic extension to their courses.  

Level 3 business administrator, Level 3 early years educator and Level 4 facilities manager are among those apprenticeship standards that will see their OTJT minimum hours amended as from the beginning of 2026. 

Calculating OTJT minimum hours  

Introducing an off-the-job minimum training figure also means training providers don’t have to calculate the OTJT minimum hours for each apprentice anymore. To come up with the minimum number of hours for each standard, the DfE considered factors such as typical course duration and the actual time spent on programme. It also looked at the number of planned and actual hours submitted by providers in an apprentice's individualised learner record (ILR).  

We’ll let you know when the RPL and Enrol updates go live. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please contact your Onefile account manager or our support team.