Apprentices can only be submitted to gateway once they have met all required eligibility criteria. This ensures they are fully prepared to progress to end-point assessment (EPA).
Minimum Duration Requirement
A key requirement for gateway is that the apprentice must have completed the minimum duration of their apprenticeship programme. This varies depending on their start date:
Apprentices who started before 1 August 2025:
Minimum duration is 12 months
Apprentices who started on or after 1 August 2025:
Minimum duration is 8 months
Providers must ensure the apprentice has been on programme for at least the applicable minimum period before submitting them to gateway.
Completion of On-Programme Requirements
In addition to meeting the minimum duration, apprentices must have successfully completed all on-programme elements, including:
All required knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs)
Any mandatory qualifications specified within the standard
Required on-programme assessments or training activities
Only once these elements are fully achieved can the apprentice be considered ready for gateway.
Readiness for End-Point Assessment
Gateway acts as a formal checkpoint to confirm that:
The apprentice has met all training and development requirements
The employer and training provider agree they are ready to attempt EPA
Submitting a learner too early may result in delays or rejected submissions.