Recognition of prior learning (RPL) and how it affects funding

Last reviewed: June 2026.

Recognition of prior learning (RPL) is the assessment of what an apprentice already knows and can do that is relevant to the standard, before they start. Where prior learning exists, the apprenticeship must be adjusted: the content is reduced, the duration may shorten, and the price — and therefore the funding — is reduced accordingly.

RPL is not optional, and getting it wrong is a funding risk in both directions. This article explains how it works.

What RPL is and why it is mandatory

The funding rules require providers to assess each apprentice's relevant prior learning and to reduce the price to reflect the training and assessment the apprentice genuinely needs. The point is that government funding should not pay again for competence the apprentice already has.

This applies to relevant prior qualifications and to substantial relevant experience, and the assessment must be evidenced — both the consideration of prior learning and the resulting adjustment.

How RPL affects price, duration and off-the-job

Where prior learning reduces the content the apprentice needs, the negotiated price is reduced to reflect it, which reduces the funding claimed. The planned duration may also shorten, and the off-the-job training requirement is recalculated against the reduced content, subject to the absolute minimum-hours floor in the funding rules.

Because these elements interact, an RPL adjustment is not a single number — it flows through the price, the dates and the off-the-job target together, and the record needs to reflect all of them consistently.

Evidencing RPL defensibly

At audit, the questions are whether prior learning was genuinely assessed, whether the reduction was reasonable and evidenced, and whether the off-the-job target was recalculated rather than left at the full figure. A missing or token RPL assessment on an experienced apprentice is a classic finding.

The defensible approach is to record the prior-learning assessment, the rationale and the resulting adjustments at enrolment, and to let the off-the-job target and funding follow from it. Journey nets recognised prior learning into the off-the-job calculation so the effective target reflects the adjustment, never dropping below the absolute floor set by the rules.

Related reading

• What counts as off-the-job training for apprenticeships?
• How apprenticeship funding works for training providers
• Building an audit-ready evidence pack for a funding audit
• DfE funding rules software
• Funding & ILR software

Journey is independent software and is not DfE or Ofsted approved. It does not guarantee funding or inspection outcomes.