The Institute of Carpenters (IOC) and the National Association of Shopfitters (NAS) have received a letter from the Right Honourable Baroness Smith of Malvern, Minister for Skills, recognising the contribution of both organisations to the reform of Apprenticeship Assessment Plans (AAPs) across the Construction and Built Environment sector.
A message from IOC and NAS
UK Skills Lead Amanda Scott, speaking on behalf of IOC and NAS Director James Filus, said:
“On behalf of James Filus and Amanda Scott, thank you and congratulations to all IOC and NAS members who worked with our leadership team and supported the Apprenticeship Assessment Plan (AAP) reforms for Carpentry and Joinery at Apprenticeship Level 2. Your expertise, leadership and clear mandate enabled the team to engage confidently with Skills England, partners, and all collaborators in this field to undertake the necessary deep dive and help shape reforms that directly respond to the needs of our sector.
Carpentry and Joinery Apprenticeships in England, became the first construction and built environment test case by Skills England (SE). Our collective engagement and works this year with SE now connect the reform proposals to the competence framework and placing safety-critical requirements at the heart of the work. Through the IOC and NAS role on the Skills England Construction Task Force, and as respected representatives and members of the Skills England Construction Group of Experts Network, this achievement will help influence future work across the sector. The letter from the Right Hon Baroness Smith of Malvern, Minister for Skills, is a welcome recognition of that collective contribution made by the Institute of Carpenters and National Association of Shopfitters and Interior Contractors— and a sincere thank you from James and Amanda to the IOC and NAS experts and specialists whose time, commitment and enthusiasm continue to make these reforms fit for purpose for 2026 and beyond.“
The Minister’s letter
Letter from the Minister for Skills
11 August 2026
Dear Members of the Construction Coalition and Skills England Construction Taskforce,
I am writing to thank you personally for the invaluable and constructive contributions you have been making with Skills England to ensure the successful implementation of Apprenticeship Assessment Reform in apprenticeships in the Construction & Built Environment sector.
We understand that any significant change to how apprenticeships work will bring complex challenges that depend upon close collaboration between officials and industry partners. As members of the Construction Coalition and Skills England’s Construction Taskforce you have been instrumental in identifying those challenges, advocating strongly for action, and, most importantly of all, co-developing the solutions that can help ensure the requirements of industry are secured alongside the benefits of the reforms. You have given your time, expertise and critical friendship with immense generosity over a considerable period of time, sharply focused on a shared desire to optimise the apprenticeship system in ways that streamline unnecessary complexity, while maintaining and extending the confidence of industry and learners in training and assessment for these safety-critical occupations. Your contributions have also helped ensure that reforms support the continued competence of the workforce and retain employers’ confidence that apprenticeships produce individuals who can perform safely, effectively and to the high professional standards required across the Construction & Built Environment sector.
Officials at Skills England have reported to me their appreciation for the spirit and passion that have imbued your collaboration. To this, I want to add my own thanks. With the round of test cases now almost completed, it will be possible to apply the lessons learned and approaches tested to reformed assessment plans across other apprenticeships.
At their heart, successful apprenticeships depend on strong collaboration between industry, training providers, assessment organisations and government. I am very grateful to you all for the contribution you are making to ensuring that collaboration happens, and that it yields great outcomes for employers, learners and the economy.
The Rt Hon Baroness Smith of Malvern
Minister for Skills