Our ability to respond effectively to regulatory change is underpinned by a structured, cross-functional process that brings together product, compliance, technical, and customer perspectives.
In anticipation of the funding rule updates for 2026/27, our dedicated Compliance Board, (which includes internal representatives from Product, Marketing, Implementation, and our external industry compliance advisors), has been actively involved at every stage. This board is responsible for:
Monitoring updates from DWP, Skills England, and other regulators
Evaluating the relevance and impact of rule changes against system functionality
Prioritising changes and assessing their technical feasibility
Overseeing delivery plans and ensuring timely communication to customers
The 2026/27 funding year introduces two sets of changes: the updated Apprenticeship Funding Rules (V1, published June 2026) and a new programme type - apprenticeship units - governed by separate funding rules published by DWP. Our Compliance Board reviewed both sets of rules and the accompanying ILR specification changes. All high-priority items have been identified, impact assessed, and scheduled for delivery.
Our planning is structured around three workstreams:
Apprenticeship funding rules: compliance updates to the training plan, commitment statements, and platform-wide terminology to reflect the transfer of responsibility from DfE to DWP and the reformed assessment terminology.
ILR specification changes: schema updates, new validation rules, and reference data changes required for the 26/27 ILR return.
Apprenticeship units: a new programme type requiring dedicated support in Aptem, from programme setup and enrolment through to training plan generation and delivery hours recording.
This process ensures we are not only reacting to policy shifts but are proactively positioned to support our customers through each change. By combining regulatory insight, technical foresight, and customer advocacy, Aptem continues to provide a platform that adapts as the apprenticeship landscape evolves. You can find out more about our Compliance Board here: LinkedIn.