Changes for Pending Apprentices / Pending Exam Plus

In summer 2025, we made a change to the API so that pending apprentices gain access to FI Learn as soon as they are created in the system (i.e. as soon as they are booked on to apprenticeship sign-up courses or extra courses in ADM/APT).

We also introduced a new dashboard for pending apprentices, which provides access to everything they may need before their apprenticeship application is complete.

Why did we make this change?

We wanted learners to be able to access and complete an initial skills scan before their apprenticeship officially starts and they are converted to the Accountancy Apprentice user type.

What does the pending apprentice dashboard look like?

Key things to note:

• Pending apprentices now gain access to FI Learn immediately. Previously, they did not receive a login until after their application was completed and they were converted to Accountancy Apprentice status.
• Pending apprentices have a new dashboard (as shown above).
• The new dashboard provides access to their initial skills scan (see the Complete your skills scan block).
• The new dashboard also provides access to their full course library – any courses they have been booked on to in ADM/APT will be available immediately to pending apprentices.
• The pre-apprenticeship learner user type is now discontinued as the pending apprentice dashboard gives them access to everything they need until their application is complete.
• Pending exam plus user type was introduced in November 2025 and as with apprentices, these learners will gain access to FI Learn immediately.

Please consider the full course library access carefully:

You may have some learners who you wish to give early access to a course. You can manage this yourself by booking them on to the relevant courses in ADM/APT. Once booked, the course will appear in their course library as soon as the API task runs (ADM – every 5 minutes; APT – once an hour at 37 minutes past the hour).

You may also have some learners who you do not want to access any courses until after their application is complete. In this case, simply avoid adding them to courses in ADM/APT until their FI Learn user type has changed from Pending Accountancy Apprentice to Accountancy Apprentice.