• Funding Reform: Frequently Asked Questions

    We appreciate there’s a lot of change in funding to navigate for the upcoming academic year, so we’ve pulled together everything you need to know in one place.

    Q: What does Skills England approval mean for these qualifications?
    A: Approval from Skills England confirms that these qualifications meet rigorous quality standards and are aligned with the technical skills and knowledge required by the sector. It also means these qualifications will be eligible for government funding from 1 August 2025.

    Q: Why are the new funded qualifications titled “Technical Occupational Entry” and “Technical Occupational Specialist ”?
    A: These titles reflect the new naming conventions introduced as part of the qualification reform led by Skills England. This new structure ensures qualifications are more clearly aligned with real occupational outcomes and supports learners and employers in understanding the purpose and progression routes of each qualification. The titles are mandated by Skills England and help distinguish between entry-level occupational training and more advanced or specialist pathways.

    • “Technical Occupational Entry” qualifications are designed to prepare learners to enter a specific occupation. They focus on developing the core skills, knowledge, and behaviours needed to begin working in a particular role, aligning with employer expectations and occupational standards.
    • “Technical Occupational Specialist” qualifications are intended to expand upon knowledge and skill development in a specific aspect of an occupation, enhancing professional capability and career progression.

    Q: Do the Level 3 qualifications carry UCAS points?
    A: Yes, all Level 3 qualifications are eligible for UCAS points. The exact number of points can be calculated using the UCAS calculator.

    Q: When can centres apply for approval to deliver these qualifications?
    A: Approved centres can apply now via Y-Connect. If you’re a new centre or have questions about the process, please contact awards.support@ymca.co.uk.

    Q: Can learners take both Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications in the same academic year?
    A:     Yes, learners may complete both Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications within one academic year, provided they meet the entry requirements for each qualification.

    Q: Will YMCA Awards provide supporting resources for delivery?
    A: Yes, YMCA Awards offers a comprehensive package of complimentary resources, including editable PowerPoint slides and schemes of work. Additional manuals and digital learning materials are also available for purchase. For full details, please contact awards.support@ymca.co.uk.

    Q: Are these qualifications available to private training providers?
    A: Absolutely. These qualifications are suitable for both funded and commercial markets. Private training providers can deliver either the funded Skills England approved qualifications or the flexible Next Generation versions, both available from 1 August 2025.

    Q: Are these the only qualifications available for funded training providers in England?
    A: Yes. From 1 August 2025, funded providers in England will only be able to claim government funding for these Skills England approved qualifications. However, if you offer both funded and commercial programmes, you can still deliver our Next Generation qualifications to non-funded learners.

    Q: What funding options are available for funded training providers delivering in Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland?
    A: Education and skills funding is devolved in Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland, meaning each nation sets its own priorities, funding rules, and approved qualifications.
    This allows training providers in these regions to access a broader range of funding options than those available in England, where from 1 August 2025, only Skills England approved qualifications will be eligible for government funding.
    Depending on the nation, YMCA Awards qualifications may still be eligible for funding or deliverable as part of broader learning programmes. We recommend checking directly with the relevant national funding body:

    • Wales: Qualifications Wales
    • Northern Ireland: Department for the Economy (DfE NI)
    • Scotland: Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and Skills Development Scotland (SDS)

    Even where government funding is not available, providers can still deliver YMCA Awards’ Next Generation qualifications on a commercial basis.

    Q: Can centres deliver these new qualifications alongside existing ones?
    A: Yes. Training providers can combine these new qualifications with existing ones to create robust, full-time programmes that meet guided learning hour (GLH) requirements

    2025-26 qualification funding

    Review the list of funded qualifications in England for the 2025-26 academic year, and available funding streams here.

    Skills England took over the functions of the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) on 2nd June 25.