EAL latest news and updates – November 2025

Welcome to this month’s update from EAL, with news on upcoming events, awards nominations, and new developments in our qualifications offering.

Navigating the new apprenticeship assessment policy 

The UK’s apprenticeship landscape is undergoing a major transformation. In October 2025, the Department for Education (DfE) started rolling out a revised Apprenticeship Assessment framework, marking the most significant shift in over a decade. These changes aim to simplify processes, enhance flexibility, and better align funding and evaluation with learner needs. Let’s explore what this means.  

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EAL showcases latest engineering & manufacturing qualifications at Leeds City College

EAL hosted an Engineering & Manufacturing Roadshow Network Event at Leeds City College to showcase new and existing qualifications and apprenticeships aimed at enhancing the engineering and manufacturing curriculum. It provided an opportunity for providers to stay current, ask questions, and network with peers in the sector. 

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New resources for Level 3 Pipe Welder (ST0851) 

We’re excited to share that resources are now available on Ace360 to support the L3 Pipe Welder ST0851 standard V1.1 and V1.2!

If you're using EAL as your EPAO, you can now access a full suite of materials designed to help centres and apprentices navigate the EPA process with confidence. These resources are not just for Pipe, but for all the standards we offer. 

Updated Resources for Level 3 Engineering Fitter (ST0851) and L3 Machining Technician (ST1305) 

We’re excited to share that our resources for L3 Engineering Fitter (ST0432) and L3 Machining Technician (ST1305) have been updated and are now available on ACE 360. 

If you're using EAL as your EPAO, you can now access a full suite of materials designed to help centres and apprentices navigate the EPA process with confidence.  

Not currently with EAL? No problem. Our friendly Regional Development Managers and Customer Success Executives are here to help. 

Contact us

Upcoming EAL Engineering & Manufacturing Roadshow Network Event (South Essex College) 

Join us on 2 December 2025 at South Essex College for the next EAL Engineering & Manufacturing Roadshow Network Event, tailored for sector professionals and educators. 

Find out more and register

EAL Apprenticeship Reform Update – Engineering & Manufacturing and BSE - Webinar 

Join EAL online on 4 December 2025 for the Apprenticeship Reform Update – Engineering & Manufacturing and Building Services Engineering (BSE) webinar. 

You’ll receive an update on the apprenticeship reform to learn more about the changes to apprenticeships and EPA and how these may affect providers, learners, and employers. EAL will also discuss changes to assessments, assessment plans, foundation apprenticeships, and minimum duration apprenticeships, providing our response to many of the changes and what they mean for our customers. 

Register now

EAL and Matrix Technology Solutions Engineering & Manufacturing Information and Discovery Event 

Join EAL and Matrix Technology Solutions on 14 Jan 2026 for a collaborative event that brings together innovation, qualification reform, and hands-on discovery opportunities for educators, employers, and training providers. 

Find out more and register

Launch of EAL Aerospace Engineering Technician Standard and EPA Event 

Join us on 20 January 2026 at GKN Aerospace’s Global Technology Centre, Bristol (or attend virtually) for the official launch of the new Aerospace Engineering Technician Standard (ST1313) and End-Point Assessment. 

This short, informative session will outline key updates to the standard, what they mean for apprenticeship delivery, and how employers and providers can prepare. In-person attendees will also be offered a tour of GKN Aerospace’s facilities. 

Find out more and register

EAL to sponsor Training Provider category at Enginuity Skills Awards 2026

EAL is proud to continue supporting the Enginuity Skills Awards, one of the industry’s leading celebrations of engineering talent. For 2026, EAL is the category partner for the Training Provider Skills Champion of the Year, recognising organisations that demonstrate exceptional commitment to developing skills and fostering sustainable growth through strong provider-employer partnerships. 

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Celebrating National Engineering Day with EAL: Shaping the sector 

As the UK celebrates National Engineering Day, EAL continues to play a pivotal role in developing skilled talent across Engineering & Manufacturing, Construction & Building Services Engineering, and Rail. Delivering NVQs, VRQs, apprenticeship-aligned qualifications, and occupational credentials, EAL equips learners and the workforce with the skills needed to meet industry standards and future challenges.

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EAL Christmas and New Year opening hours 2025/26 

With Christmas fast approaching, we’d like to take this opportunity to provide you with details of our opening hours during the festive period. 

EAL will be closed from 1PM on Wednesday, 24 December 2025, and will reopen at 8AM on Monday, 5 January 2026. 

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EAL qualification review - November 2025 

We want to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who participated in our recent qualification review. This is part of an ongoing process that ensures that our qualifications remain up to date and meet your needs.

This month, we have more qualifications open for review. We invite you to participate by clicking on any of the links below for qualifications that interest you and completing a short survey.

Your feedback is valuable whether you are currently delivering the qualification, considering delivering it, or facing challenges that prevent you from offering it. If you do not deliver or consider delivering any of these qualifications, please feel free to ignore the survey.

• EAL SCQF Level 6 Award in the Servicing and Maintenance of Portable Fire Extinguishers (R70804)
• EAL Level 3 Award in the Servicing and Maintenance of Portable Fire Extinguishers (603/7133/X)

We will review all responses on Monday, 15 December 2025.

If you encounter any issues or have questions regarding the review process, please contact EAL’s team of technical experts at: [email protected].