Monopoly concerns after recent announcement.
Experts have raised concerns that the proposal to merge professional qualifications with apprenticeship end-point assessments could lead to a reduction in the number of assessment organisations and the formation of monopolies controlled by industry bodies.
The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) recently began a consultation on plans to improve the integration of mandatory professional qualifications and end-point assessments (EPAs). The goal is to address the issue of a significant number of apprentices dropping out before completing their EPA, despite having earned their industry qualification, which is contributing to the high 50% drop-out rate in apprenticeships.