If you’re an Assessor with candidates that have their End-Point Assessment coming up, then you’ve come to the right place. It’s important to know how you as the Assessor should be preparing Apprentices for their End-Point Assessment. The run-up to the End-Point Assessment (EPA) will be the most stressful time for your Apprentice. Undoubtedly, they’re going to need all the support and help from you that they can get. To help you out, we’ve written up our top tips for preparing Apprentices for their End-Point Assessment.
What is the End-Point Assessment?
The EPA is a variety of assessment methods that take place at the end of an Apprenticeship. The End-Point Assessment may include the likes of an interview, a presentation, or an exam; but no two Apprenticeships will have exactly the same ‘formula’ of assessments. The Apprentice cannot gain their qualification without passing the EPA. As you can imagine, it’s very stressful for the Apprentice, as their final grade will rely on it. They need to be heavily supported by you.
End-Point Assessments are delivered by an Independent End-Point Assessor (IEPA). The IEPA comes from an End-Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO). In any event, the EPA cannot be delivered by the training provider or employer. This means that all parties have to work together to make sure their Apprentice passes the EPA. Otherwise, the employers will have to pay for retests – and nobody wants that. So how can you ensure you are preparing Apprentices for their End-Point Assessment?
Preparing Apprentices for their End-Point Assessment
Practicing Mock EPAs
Make sure that your candidate practices with a variety of assessments on the run up to their EPA. Each Apprenticeship Standard will have its own assessment plan for the EPA. The assessment plan will show which assessment methods need to be used. Therefore, you’ll be able to prepare apprentices with the relevant assessment methods. By running a few Mock End-Point Assessments with your apprentice, they will grow confidence in their ability. After all, you know what they say – practice makes perfect.
You can find apprenticeship assessment plans on the Institute for Apprenticeships website. From the relevant assessment plan, you’ll know which KSBs (Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviours) will be looked at in the EPA. Keeping track of your candidate’s work throughout their Apprenticeship will give you an idea of their strengths and weaknesses. Which brings me to my next tip…
Using E-Portfolios
An E-Portfolio is an electronic portfolio. With an E-Portfolio, send assignments, receive work, and also give feedback on your apprentice’s work. This makes the whole training process much easier to manage. The E-Portfolio should work like a checklist to make sure that the requirements for the End-Point Assessment ‘gateway‘ is being met.
Employers can also track their apprentice’s progression throughout the course. By keeping track, employers can ensure their Apprentice isn’t scheduled to sit the EPA before they’re ready. Plus, you’ll also have clear evidence of learning and a full audit trail available at any time, ready for those Ofsted inspections.
Preparing Apprentices and Employers by Communicating
The EPA has completely changed how apprentices are assessed. You’ll need to work closely with employers to make sure your apprentice is ready and has all the KSBs necessary. It is important that everyone is on the same page in regards to the Apprentice’s progress. Communicating with the employer is a key part of preparing your candidate for their EPA. They may be entered in the EPA when they aren’t ready.
Furthermore, it may sound obvious, but you also need to make sure you are communicating with your apprentice. Your apprentice should know who their EPAO is and what is expected of them. Ask them how they are feeling about the EPA; whether they have any concerns or questions, or any topics in particular they would like to revise.
Steve is a Chartered Manager and a Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute.
He provides Educational Consultancy to the 19+ sector as well as being an Assessor, IQA, EPA and Digital Marketing Professional. When not doing any of these he finds time, every now and then, to write blogs and articles.
