SFJ Awards is the trusted, regulated and independent apprenticeship assessment provider for public and private sector apprenticeships.
In this section:
What is apprenticeship assessment?
An apprenticeship assessment tests the knowledge, skills and behaviours that an apprentice has gained during their training. It can be delivered by a mix of the employer and an assessment organisation, but must be verified by an assessment organisation not involved in the delivery of the training itself.
Assessments used to be carried out at the end of the apprenticeship (and known as End-Point Assessment) but a more flexible approach to assessing throughout the learning period has been introduced.
Apprenticeship assessment reform
Skills England and the UK Government are rolling out apprenticeship assessment reforms in phases across 2026. As the sector transitions to a more flexible, proportionate system, many organisations are asking the same key question: what level of support is right for us?
At SFJ Awards, we recognise that there is no one-size-fits-all answer. That’s why we’ve introduced a new flexible approach to assessment delivery.
Connect
A collaborative delivery model for providers who want to take a more active role in assessment delivery:
- Supports active partnership
- Greater flexibility and control
- Opportunity to build internal assessment capability
- SFJ Awards oversight and quality assurance
- Scalable around your delivery model
- Flexible approach while maintaining compliance and quality
Complete
A fully managed service for providers who want simplicity and assurance:
- Fully managed delivery model
- Reduced admin and coordination
- End-to-end assessment management
- SFJ Awards-led quality assurance
- Streamlined and consistent approach
- Provides confidence and stability during reform transition
See apprenticeship assessment updates and find out more about what support we can offer your organisation.
Find out moreWhy choose SFJ Awards?
Supportive and helpful
Supporting the apprentice, employer and training provider throughout their assessment journey.
Independent and trusted
Completely independent from apprenticeship employers and training providers.
Industry leading experts
Recognised experts for our industry specialisms.
Our sectors and specialisms
SFJ Awards is a sector specialist, offering dedicated apprenticeship expertise in the following areas. View each area to see which standards we support:
“Working with SFJ Awards as our apprenticeship assessment organisation for Custody and Detention has been a consistently positive experience. Their communication and support have been excellent—always responsive, clear, and tailored to our specific needs. SFJ Awards’ flexibility and understanding of the unique challenges within the Custody and Detention sectors have been instrumental in helping our learners complete their assessments in a timely and efficient manner. We truly value the partnership.”
– Jerome Lecerf, Group Head of School – Apprenticeships, Capital City College
“SFJ Awards’ independent assessors are an excellent team of highly motivated professionals that fully support the apprentices through their apprenticeship assessment journey. Thank you all for your hard work and excellent collaborative approach to apprenticeship assessment, it is a pleasure working with you all.”
– Joanne Penhaligan, Head of Quality Assurance and Apprenticeships, Babcock International Group
“At Capita firefighter apprenticeships, we are proud to have SFJ Awards as our apprenticeship assessment organisation.
“Our partnership is built on a shared commitment to excellence, ensuring that every apprentice receives the highest quality education and practical experience. Together, we are shaping the future of firefighting, empowering individuals with the skills and knowledge they need to excel in their careers and serve their communities with distinction.
“SFJ Awards provide Capita with an unrivalled service and the quality needed, to ensure all its firefighters receive a consistent and fair apprenticeship assessment.”
– Matt Murdoch, Programme Lead for Operational Firefighter, Capita Learning
“We were so impressed with the apprenticeship assessment provided by SFJ Awards. The team supported us throughout the whole apprenticeship assessment journey, were always at the end of a phone for any queries and worked collaboratively with us and our employer to ensure that everything ran smoothly. We were so pleased with the work of the Independent Assessors from SFJ Awards, they were warm and friendly and made our apprentices feel at ease. I would highly recommend SFJ Awards as an apprenticeship assessment organisation, their approach is second to none.”
– Louise Perkins, Subject Area Manager, Weston College
Further information and guidance
Guidance and support
We want to make sure that, as an apprentice, employer and training provider, you receive the best possible guidance and support throughout your assessment journey.
Apprentice support hub
A hub for exclusive materials to help support you throughout your apprenticeship assessment.
How to become an independent assessor
Learn how you can become an Independent Assessor with SFJ Awards.
Apprenticeship assessment reforms
Find out updates about the changes being made to apprenticeship assessments and what support we can offer to help you navigate them.
Apprenticeship assessment FAQs
Find out the answers to our most frequently asked questions.
Explore FAQs