Apprentice End-Point Assessment Preparation.
It’s a term everyone is hearing about at the moment as apprentices complete their apprenticeships they are required to take an end point assessment. Importantly the apprentice must pass the EPA and the EPA is now becoming a concern for training providers .
The End-Point Assessment (EPA) is a big change for apprenticeships.
Instead of being assessed continually throughout their course, all apprentices now have to complete and pass an end-point assessment to complete their qualification successfully. The EPA is designed to test whether each apprentice has gained the skills, knowledge and behaviours outlined in their apprenticeship standard, and grades each learner according to their performance in the EPA.
What is end-point assessment?
As a result of the apprenticeship reforms the introduction of the EPA demands every apprentice now have their work and competence assessed at the end of their learning, against their‘apprenticeship standard’ .
How will the EPA work?
When an apprentice is ready to take the EPA, their employer will put them forward through the ‘gateway’ for their assessment. Each EPA is different, so the requirements for each assessment are laid out in the apprenticeship standard and the End Point Assessment Plan. Importantly this is available from the Institute of Apprenticeship. Furthermore this should be made available to the apprentice and the employer to encourage preparation. Most importantly EPA has several components all of which must be passed by the apprentice in order for them to pass their apprenticeship.
As a consequence preparation is the key.
Many apprentices are failing their EPA due to lack of preparation.
Apprentice End Point Assessment preparation advice and guidance contact Philip Wadsworth: enquiries@intrinsictraining.com or phone 01482 845358 or complete our easy contact form.
All EPAs Must Follow These Rules:
- They must be delivered by an independent end-point assessment organisation with no affiliation to the employer or training provider involved in the apprenticeship.
- All end-point assessment providers must be approved by the ESFA before being added to the Register of Apprentice Assessment Organisations (RoAAO).
- When an employer takes on an apprentice, they have the responsibility to select the end-point assessment organisation (EPAO) from the register and then confirm their selection with their training provider.
- Most EPAs will be graded pass/fail. Some will be graded with a merit. This information can be found in the EPA plan information.
- The apprentice cannot achieve their apprenticeship without passing the end-point assessment.
What Format Will the EPA Take?
The EPA is outlined in the End Point Assessment Plan written for each apprenticeship standard. The assessment plan must explain what will be assessed, how the apprentice will be assessed, and who will carry out the EPA – as well as indicate the quality assurance measures in place.
The EPA Will Have a Range of Different Tests:
- Tests.
- Examinations.
- Professional discussions.
- Workplace observations.
- Portfolio of work.
- Assignments.
- Assessment of work output.
EPA Preparation?
It is really very important to everyone involved that the apprentice is prepared by the assessor for the end point assessment. Importantly the apprentice must be sufficiently prepared well so they are confident. Whilst many apprentices are able to demonstrate and explain their working practices many feel very self conscious when sitting and not only talking to a stranger about what they do and how they do it but having the conversation recorded.
The key really is preparation.
Paying for the EPA:
The end point assessment is paid for from the funding provided for each apprentice.