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End-Point Assessment

Award in End-Point Assessment Principles and Practice

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Introducing Our Online EPA Training!

Yep, that’s right. The long awaited, Brooks and Kirk exclusive Award in End-Point Assessment Principles and Practice is here! Here at Brooks and Kirk, we have been working hard (for what feels like forever) on developing an online version of our successful National EPA Workshop. So we are extremely pleased to finally announce that the course is now live.

Over the past year however, we have received A LOT of calls asking us about another EPA course – the Level 3 Award in Undertaking End-Point Assessment. We’ve noticed that there has been a significant amount of misunderstanding over the purpose of this course and who it is suitable for. Which is why we thought we would create this post to talk you all through a couple of the most common misconceptions regarding this particular EPA qualification.

Will the Level 3 Award in Undertaking End-Point Assessment help me get a job as an End-Point Assessor?

In short, no. Of the 590+ Apprenticeships that are approved for delivery, not one of them require the End-Point Assessor to hold this qualification. What most of them do require the End-Point Assessor to have however, is a ‘recognised’ Assessor qualification. Some even require you to have an IQA qualification as well. We have worked with, and are still working with some of the largest End-Point Assessment Organisations and they told us the same. To summarise; as strange as it may sound, completing the Level 3 Award in Undertaking End-Point Assessment will not qualify you as an End-Point Assessor.

In that case, Where does the Level 3 Award in Undertaking End-Point Assessment sit in the range of qualifications?

Right at the bottom. If you look at the specification for the Level 3 Award in Undertaking End-Point Assessment, it actually suggests that after taking it you could go on and take one of the other Assessor qualifications. This indicates that it sits below the ACWE and the AVRA; both of which are below the CAVA. If all of those acronyms have made no sense to you, take a look at our blog on ‘Choosing the Right Assessor Qualification‘.

Of course, we certainly don’t want to give off the impression that the Level 3 Award in Undertaking End-Point Assessment isn’t useful. As long as you, the learner, gain something from it then it gets the green light from us. However, we as a reputable assessor training training provider, we do want to make clear that if the sole reason you want to do this course is to get a job as an End-Point Assessor, then we wouldn’t necessarily recommend it alone. Instead, almost every single Apprenticeship and/or EPAO will require you to have the CAVA, ACWE or equivalent.

So, if that won’t get me a job as an Independent End-Point Assessor – what will?

As we touched on before, most Apprenticeship ‘Assessment Plans’ state that IEPA’s must hold:

  1. A recognised Assessor qualification – such as the Level 3 CAVA;
  2. A certain amount of experience within in the relevant occupation/sector;
  3. A particular level of vocational qualification relevant to that occupation.

For a specific example, in order to be an IEPA for the Plumbing and Domestic Heating Technician Apprenticeship, you must have:

  • Relevant occupational expertise and knowledge, at the relevant level of the occupational area(s) they are assessing, which has been gained through ‘hands-on’ experience in the Plumbing and Domestic Heating industry.
  • Hold a recognised assessing qualification.
  • Hold a recognised qualification, for example, an NVQ Level 3 in Plumbing and Domestic Heating

If you already have a qualification and experience in the area you want to become an End-Point Assessor in, all you need to do is gain an Assessor qualification. There are three to choose from; but the one that we recommend and most EPAO’s prefer is the Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement. We would strongly recommend checking the specific Assessment Plan for the End-Point Assessment you wish to assess in. By checking it, you can also see whether you will require an IQA qualification. If you do, it will be the Level 4 Award in the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice. 

However, if you are already a qualified/trainee assessor and you are looking for EPA Training specifically, then here’s what we would recommend…

The Award in End-Point Assessment Principles and Practice

We were asked by a number of bodies to develop a training course that would give their qualified assessors the skills they need to work effectively as an End-Point Assessor. Initially, we trialled this EPA training by delivering it around the country in the form of a workshop. The feedback we received was amazing. Even learners who had previously completed the Level 3 Award in Undertaking End-Point Assessment commented on how much they had learnt from our course and how they now understood far more than before. Which is why we decided to transform this workshop into a CPD verified course, to make it accessible to everyone.

The Award in End-Point Assessment Principles and Practice is a Brooks and Kirk exclusive CPD course. It has been designed to give learners like yourself all the theory behind EPA; industry best practice tips; and not to mention the opportunity to grade 2 mock End-Point Assessments using three of the most popular assessment methods used in EPAs.

As you’ve probably gathered by now, the course is delivered entirely online. You don’t need to attend any of our centres or take time off work to enable you to complete it. Even your grading tasks are done remotely, just like most of them are in the real world of End-Point Assessment. It should take you about 6 hours to complete the course. So you could even get it boxed off in a day if you wanted to!

Upon completion you will receive a certificate that states you have completed 6 hours of verified CPD.

Get started on our Award in End-Point Assessment Principles and Practice today!

avoiding unnecessary delays with epa

Avoiding Unnecessary Delays with End-Point Assessments

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As one of the assessment methods for End-Point Assessment, a portfolio assessment is often part of this process. Most of these are carried out online, via the form of an e-portfolio. So you would imagine that lockdown hasn’t really affected this process. Unfortunately, that is not quite the case. We are going to look into what is happening, and how unnecessary delays with EPA can be avoided.

Towards the start of lockdown, way back in March, we discussed the new assessment flexibilities introduced to allow apprenticeships to continue with the new restrictions in place. There was lots of discussion and debate about the specifics of these flexibilities. This did cause some confusion to begin with. That, combined with the fact that many apprenticeship providers had to furlough some of their administrative staff, has led to a knowledge gap when it comes to EPA processes.

Current Difficulties

At the moment, some End-Point Assessment Organisations (EPAOs), and End-Point Assessors are struggling to access the e-portfolios of their apprentices. With many normal contacts away from work on furlough, there has been a distinct lack of handover to other members of the team who are still at work. As many staff are working from home, this has also led to a lack of communication. There may even be a gap in the knowledge of those who are still working on a regular basis.

How To Avoid Delays

One of the main ways that these delays could have been avoided is by ensuring a clear handover process of work within EPAOs. Handover documents should always be created in the eventuality that a member of staff has to suddenly leave. So, this is no different. By having a clear, fully documented process flow this should remove any unnecessary confusion, reducing the delays with End-Point Assessors being unable to access the e-portfolios.

It is really important that timely access is given to e-portfolios. This allows the End-Point Assessor to review the portfolio before any live assessments take place. Any issues with the e-portfolio can then be quickly picked up and addressed. Interviews or professional discussions can also be properly planned in advance. This planning process also means that the apprentice has the best opportunity possible; they can showcase their understanding and skills acquired during the apprentice.

It Helps Everyone

A smooth process means both the EPAO and the End-Point Assessor are able to progress the apprentice on more quickly. It is essential to give early access to the e-portfolio stage either as part of the Gateway process, or once an End-Point Assessor has been allocated.

If you would like any further information about how the End-Point Assessment process works, please get in touch with the team at Brooks and Kirk who will be able to talk you through this. We are contactable via phone (01205 805 155), or email (training@brooksandkirk.co.uk).

how to find a job as an epa

How to Find a Job as an IEPA

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The role of an Independent End-Point Assessor (IEPA) is to ensure that an apprentice has met the apprenticeship standard. It is also their responsibility to confirm the apprentice is occupationally competent within their role. An IEPA differs from an On-Programme Assessor as they are completely separate from the training provider, employer and apprentice. They have no contact with them before the assessment and are therefore unbiased.

All apprentices have to go through the End Point Assessment (EPA) with an independent Assessor. Think about the hundreds of thousands of apprentices currently going through the process – there is always going to be a very high demand for Independent End-Point Assessors. If you are interested in becoming an IEPA how do you find possible jobs? Read on to find out more.

A Quick Google Search

This may sound like an obvious place to start, but most IEPA jobs are advertised online and are quite easy to find on search engines. You will come across lots of third-party recruitment websites such as Indeed and Reed which will have a list of jobs within the industry. One thing you’ll need to check is the date listed on the advertised vacancy. Some companies forget to take down old job advertisements, and you don’t want to waste precious time applying for a role that no longer exists!

It is always worth checking who the employer is on these job sites too, as there may be more information about the role provided on their website. It also means you can get an idea of who the organisation are, which will help with your interview preparation.

EPAOs

End Point Assessment Organisations (EPAOs) are organisations that are registered and approved by the Government to carry out Independent End-Point Assessments with apprentices. EPAOs can include awarding bodies, training providers and professional bodies. They must be listed on the register to show they can take part in the End-Point Assessment of an apprentice.

End-Point Assessment Organisations are responsible for ensuring all apprentices receive the same standards in their EPAs. End-Point Assessors are responsible for the following (to name a few):

  • Designing and developing End-Point Assessments
  • Carrying out End-Point Assessments
  • Quality assuring the delivery of the End-Point Assessment
  • Ensuring the End-Point Assessment is independent
  • Recording when an apprentice has passed the End-Point Assessment

Going back to recruitment, EPAOs who employ the independent Assessors tend to advertise their job vacancies on their own websites. If you are struggling to find EPAOs near you, simply go onto the Gov website where they list the register of End-Point Assessment Organisations.

LinkedIn

There are often lots of EPA jobs advertised on LinkedIn, either within specific group pages or on company profiles. Any time you are looking for a new role it is important to make sure your LinkedIn profile and experience is all up to date. You never know who might take a look, particularly if you are actively applying for roles. Once you have searched for ‘EPA vacancies’ on LinkedIn you can save this search and add a notification so that each time a new role comes up you will receive an email.

Overall, the easiest way to find new vacancies is by using the list of approved EPAOs. Once you are on this website you can easily filter by the standards that they provide. Using this EPAO list is also really useful if you work in a specialist sector as you can easily see if anyone is currently offering End-Point Assessments for this standard. You can then approach the EPAO directly to see if they have any vacancies.

End-Point Assessment Courses

Of course, there aren’t currently any courses that alone make you a qualified End-Point Assessor. However, there are CPD courses you can take. In fact, in January 2021 we started delivering our very own EPA Award; the Award in End-Point Assessment Principles and Practice. This course has been designed to give you all the knowledge and skills behind being an End-Point Assessor (and it only takes roughly 6 hours to complete!).

If you would like to learn more about how to become an Independent End-Point Assessor, please contact the team at Brooks and Kirk on 01205 805 155 or email training@brooksandkirk.co.uk.

understanding the role of an end point assessor

Understanding the Role of an End-Point Assessor

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It has been a little while now since the move from the old ‘Apprenticeship Frameworks’ to the new ‘Apprenticeship Standards’ but we thought it was worth revisiting the role of an End-Point Assessor. If you already hold an Assessor qualification, or are thinking of becoming an Assessor, this may well be a route worth considering. Anyone who holds an Assessor qualification can become an EPA, as there is often some initial development where you will be required to understand the assessment methods for EPA.

One thing we will have a look at is the difference between an On-Programme Assessor and an End-Point Assessor as the two are often mixed up. Let’s have a look at what End-Point Assessment is so that you can understand how the role of an Assessor fits in with this.

What is End-Point Assessment?

Under the old framework system, apprentices were continually assessed throughout their programme by their training provider. The traditional role of the Assessor/Trainer was more about building trust and acting as a coach/mentor for the apprentice.

Under the new standards, apprentices complete all of the training and on-the-job experience and are then assessed at the end by an Independent End Point Assessor. Whilst formative assessments can still be carried out throughout the apprenticeship; the final assessment has to be carried out by someone who has no involvement in the on-programme part.

What are the requirements of becoming an End-Point Assessor?

Now this is the important part, there are 2 essential requirements in order for you to become an EPA:

  1. A valid Assessor qualification

Whilst there are several different Assessor qualifications that you can take, the one that is going to enable you to become a fully qualified Assessor is the Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (CAVA). This covers a knowledge unit, a workplace assessment unit, and a unit on assessing in a vocational environment. All of which are essential to understand for End-Point Assessment.

  1. Current experience in the role you will be assessing

As you will be making decisions about the competence of apprentices, it is vital that you are aligned with the latest industry standards and practices. Therefore, the experience required often includes evidence of working within the specific sector, not just assessing within it.

How to improve your chances of becoming an EPA

Although we harp on about CPD quite a bit, it is for good reason! By ensuring your CPD is up to date, you will be staying up to date with both your technical and Assessor expertise. Technology is constantly evolving, and many new standards refer to assessment methods involving digital equipment. Here are some of our top ways in which you can improve your CPD:

  • If you are a newly qualified Assessor, it is a great idea to shadow an experienced assessor
  • If shift work is something applicable to your industry, a few part-time shifts may help to refresh your knowledge
  • Whilst in the current climate attending exhibitions and conferences is not possible, some industries are moving these online

It also may be beneficial to have an IQA qualification. This is something a lot of End-Point Assessment Organisations are asking of their End-Point Assessors, so it’s worthwhile thinking about.

How to find work as an EPA

One thing to bear in mind about becoming an EPA is that you will only be visiting your learner once. This is right at the end of their apprenticeship). This means that you may have to cover a wider geographical area than normal in order to find enough work. You will probably spend either half a day or a full day with the apprentice. During this time, you’ll likely be reviewing their portfolio, and carrying out observations.

Here are some great LinkedIn groups to help you source EPA roles:

We hope this has been a helpful guide into the role of an End-Point Assessor. If you would like any further information about any of the qualifications we have discussed, or how to take the next steps, please call our team on 01205 805 155 or email training@brooksandkirk.co.uk

epao independent

Why Are End-Point Assessments Independent?

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There isn’t an awful lot of information on the internet regarding End Point Assessment Organisations (EPAOs) so we thought we would bring you another instalment. We are going to take a look at the ‘Independent’ bit of an EPA and what this really means.

What Are EPAOs?

An EPAO is an awarding body, training provider or professional body that is registered to carry out End-Point Assessments. They must be on the official EPAO register in order to take part in an apprentice’s End-Point Assessment. Their main responsibility is to ensure all apprentices are receiving the same standards in their EPAs. This ensures that there is consistency across the board.

End-Point Assessment

EPAs are completely independent to the rest of the NVQ that an apprentice goes through. In order to ensure that the trained apprentice has the skills to do the job they have been trained for, they are required to complete an End-Point Assessment. Most of the apprentice training is carried out within a working environment. This way, once the apprentice is qualified, they are able to continue within that particular company.

Gateway Phase

One thing that you need to be aware of when you are looking at becoming an IEPA is the ‘Gateway’. This is where the apprentice has had their on-programme element signed off, and have developed the skills, knowledge and behaviours required for their role. It is during this gateway stage that the Assessor needs to be in close contact with the EPAO. They will be the ones to provide guidance on how the gateway evidence should be collected.

Why Independent?

There is a government legislation that requires EPAs to be carried out by a body entirely separate to those who have provided the original training. An EPAO is required to provide assessments which are reliable and valid. The assessment tools they use must be comparable, manageable and without bias. It is also the responsibility of the IEPAs to understand the industry within which the apprentice works, and to ensure the EPA covers everything that is required.

Regular Training

EPAOs are responsible for working in collaboration with employers, Assessors and training providers, to ensure the methods of assessment are fit for purpose. It is important that IEPAs are trained on a regular basis. This ensures that they are kept up to date with any changes to the assessments.

We hope this blog has helped to clear up what EPAOs are and how they are linked with End-Point Assessments. If you are considering becoming an Independent End-Point Assessor, you will need to be a qualified Assessor, as well as having an IQA qualification.

It may also benefit you to have some kind of EPA related qualification under your belt, such as our Award in End-Point Assessment Principles and Practice. If you would like any further information on this topic, please give our team a call on 01205 805 155.

demand health and social

The Demand for End-Point Assessors in Health and Social Care

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2020 has been a whirlwind year for the Health & Social Care sector in particular, but there has certainly been a rise in the number of apprentices completing End-Point Assessments. One of the End-Point Assessment Organisations (Prepare Achieve) have released some interesting figures regarding their success over the past few months.

Apprentices have been Hit Hard

During the pandemic, the apprenticeship sector as a whole has taken a big hit. Whilst there has been an increase in the transition to distance learning, 61% of companies have had to pause on-the-job training. This added expense of training has been too costly for many businesses who were having to furlough their staff.

One of the main ways in which End Point Assessment Organisations (Prepare Achieve in particular) have worked to support over 100 apprentices through their EPA in the past 3 months is through their online platform. Online learning is one of the best ways to improve your skills. It gives you the ability to learn at a time and a pace that suits you.

Institute for Apprenticeships Flexibilities

You may have noticed that due to COVID-19 there has been a slight change in how EPAs are carried out. The Institute for Apprenticeships introduced some ‘flexibilities’, allowing for observations and professional discussions to be carried out remotely.

These changes alone have allowed many businesses to continue with sending their apprentices through EPAs remotely. In particular, the adjustments meant that the Adult Care Worker Levels 2 and 3 were adapted to allow for 100% online assessment. With the assessments being carried out online, this means that they can fit easily around the busy schedules of the employees. Not only that, but the process is generally faster.

Working towards the EPA on Lockdown

As we are moving towards a potential second lockdown, it is a great time to start thinking about how your learners can complete their End Point Assessments. If your learner has already started to gather a portfolio of evidence, the next stage is usually a reflective statement. The reflective statement is normally covered via a professional discussion. Why not book this in via a Zoom call to keep your apprentice on track?

Whilst being locked indoors with a TV is great to begin with, it soon becomes very boring. Encourage your learners to make the most of this quiet opportunity and work towards their EPA. This could be the motivation they need to finish their professional discussion or written statement.

Extra Support

Here at Brooks and Kirk, we pride ourselves in providing round-the-clock support to all of our learners. If you are an Assessor, you will be aware of the government flexibilities that have been introduced to ensure people can still complete apprenticeships and EPAs. Pass this knowledge onto your learners. Remind them that they need to make the most of the remote assessments now while they are available.

Plus, this pandemic has clearly highlighted the importance of our NHS. We are bound to see a rise in the number of apprenticeships looking to complete their qualifications.

If you would like more information on our Assessor course please give us a call on 01205 805 155.

register of epaos

How to Find the Register of End-Point Assessment Organisations

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Are you looking to become an End-Point Assessor? Then you will probably already be aware that you need to be registered with an End-Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO) who have been specifically approved to deliver End-Point Assessments. Let’s take a look into the register of EPAOs in further detail.

Where to Find the Register

In order to find EPAOs that deliver End-Point Assessments (EPAs) in apprenticeships you are competent in, there is a 2 part process to follow. Unless you know the name of the apprenticeship you are interested in and you can skip to part 2.

Part 1:

Firstly, you will need to go to the List of Apprenticeship Standards on the Institute for Apprenticeships website. From here you just need to type in a word that best describes your subject area. To check you have found the right apprenticeship, have a look through the options and read the ‘overview of the role’ section to find out more.

Part 2:

Once you know the name of the apprenticeship, head over to the Register of End-Point Assessment Organisations on the Gov website. You should then see a link to an excel spreadsheet. The spreadsheet lists organisations that have been assessed as being suitable to conduct independent End-Point Assessment of apprentices. You will then be able to paste in the name of the apprenticeship you are interested in; and easily filter through all of the EPAOs that deliver that EPA.

Introduction to EPAOs

Just to recap a bit more on End-Point Assessment Organisations. All apprenticeship standards must contain an End-Point Assessment as well as information on programme training and assessment. In order to ensure all apprentices following the same standard are assessed consistently, an independent organisation must be involved in the EPA of each apprentice. We have written a blog to explain the difference between an Assessor and an End-Point Assessor if you are struggling to understand how the two relate.

In essence, only organisations on the register of EPAOs are eligible to conduct independent EPAs. That is why it is important to take the time to check this register if you are looking to become an IEPA.

Choosing an EPAO

After you have filtered through the register, you may be in luck and find that there are lots of EPAOs that offer the Apprenticeship that you are looking to assess. There is no real right or wrong organisation to choose. Just be sure to have a good look through the assessment plans. This way, you can see exactly what is expected of you with each EPAO. You are also able to ask the organisation on the register for more information about the service they offer.

We hope that you have found this useful, and you know how to find an EPAO. One thing to be aware of is that the list is continuously being updated. So don’t always treat the information you see on there as final! If you need any more help please feel free to give us a call on 01205 805 155.

EPA FAQ

What You Need To Know About End-Point Assessment

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When anyone asks what an End-Point Assessment is, we usually direct them to our EPA in 60 seconds video series. This is broken down into 8 sections and covers the most frequently asked questions. Some people absorb information better if it is written down, as opposed to on a video, so we decided to create this short guide as well.

We do have a dedicated Knowledgebase if you want to dig a little deeper into the EPA, but let’s get cracking with running through the video for now.

What is End-Point Assessment?

The End-Point Assessment came about after the apprenticeship reform back in 2017. It is a series of one-off assessments that an apprentice must complete at the end of their apprenticeship. Stand-alone vocational courses do not have an EPA, this assessment is just for apprenticeships. The main difference with the new method of assessing is that the EPA is not carried out throughout the Apprenticeship, but at the very end.

What is the purpose of an End-Point Assessment?

An EPA is designed to confirm that the apprentice is competent to work in the role they have been trained in. It is almost like a quality check for the apprenticeship. There are two parts to an apprenticeship, the first which is the on-programme section. This is where the apprentice learns all the appropriate knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs) to work in their role.

The second part, the EPA, is where an Independent End-Point Assessor confirms the apprentice can demonstrate those KSBs practically. The apprentice is then graded with a Pass, Fail, Merit or Distinction, depending on how well they can show they have these KSBs. The EPA therefore has two key purposes: to confirm the apprentice is competent, and to measure the extent of their competence.

Can the EPA assess other parts of the Apprenticeship?

We need to look at the specifics here. The assessor who carries out the EPA can’t assess an apprentice during the on-programme phase. They should be completely independent and must not have had any contact with the apprentice or employer prior to the EPA.

However, being an IEPA doesn’t completely rule you out of assessing other apprenticeships. You can assess other candidates that you are not carrying out the EPA on.

What do I need to become an IEPA?

There are a few things that every IEPA needs to have:

  1. An Assessor qualification
  2. Relevant industry experience
  3. An Internal Quality Assurance Qualification (optional but recommended)

There are other requirements that an IEPA should have, but these are specific to the apprenticeship you are assessing. To find out exactly what requirements you need to meet, you need to look at the Assessment Plan for the apprenticeship that you had in mind.

We have spoken with many End Point Assessment Organisations (EPAOs) and reviewed many assessment plans over the years. The two core requirements that are consistent across most apprenticeships are that the IEPA should be a qualified assessor, and ideally have an IQA qualification.

You may also find an EPA qualification puts you at an advantage when looking for jobs. Our EPA course, the Award in End-Point Assessment Principles and Practice, is a great way to pick up more skills and knowledge relevant to being an IEPA. 

What does an End-Point Assessment involve?

An EPA typically involves several components. These are either assessment methods in their own right, or several assessment methods grouped together to form one component. Every EPA is designed to be tailored towards the specific occupation, so they tend to be completely unique. Every EPA is delivered based on the individual Assessment Plan, so for the same apprenticeship, they should be identical.

Assessment Plans in End-Point Assessment?

An Assessment Plan is often referred to as a specification for a qualification. Rather than it being for a qualification though, it is for an EPA. It tells the EPAO information regarding what the EPA should involve, how it should be graded, and the specific requirements the IEPA needs to meet. To find the Assessment Plan for a specific assessment, we have written a quick step-by-step guide for you to follow.

Who can I work for as an IEPA?

NVQ assessors or on-programme assessors can usually work for any college or training provider. However, an End-Point Assessor must work for an organisation that has been approved to specifically deliver EPAs. These are called End-Point Assessment Organisations (EPAOs).

There are many EPAOs over the country, some are Awarding Bodies, Training Providers, or are specifically EPAOs. All you need to do is find a relevant EPAO that is approved to deliver EPAs within your sector. Again we have put together a quick guide to show you how to find an EPAO suitable for you.

We hope this has been a useful blog post for you, and has answered some of the questions you may have had surrounding EPA. If you are interested in becoming an EPA please register your interest for our EPA workshop to find out even more. Our team are always at the end of the phone to answer any questions you may have – call them on 01205 805 155.

quality control

Has End-Point Assessment Replaced Internal Quality Assurance?

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There are many myths and misconceptions regarding the End-Point Assessment (EPA). One that regularly crops up is whether EPA has replaced Internal Quality Assurance. Let’s have a detailed look at what both of these are to begin with.

End-Point Assessment

An End-Point Assessment is the final assessment that an apprentice has to do at the end of their apprenticeship. It demonstrates their competence in the role they have been training for. An EPA is an impartial assessment of the apprentice’s knowledge, skills and behaviours.

One thing to note is that the EPA must be carried out by an End-Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO). This is a third-party organisation, separate from both the employer and the training provider. An Independent End-Point Assessor conducts the final assessment of the apprentice and gives the final grade.

Internal Quality Assurance

The Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) is carried out by the EPA to ensure the assessment is delivered, standardised and marked correctly. The IQA is responsible for checking the assessment decisions made on the apprentice’s qualification. To become an Internal Quality Assurer, you will need both an Assessor qualification and the Level 4 Certificate in Leading the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice.

What can seem a little confusing is that the IQA is carried out by the EPAO themselves to ensure consistent grading across their Independent End-Point Assessors. This quality check ensures individual assessments are carried out correctly. It also assures employers that the delivery of EPAs is standardised, and the marking is properly executed.

What The IQA Must Include

In order to ensure the EPA is consistently carried out, the IQA must include the following:

  • The minimum occupational and assessment knowledge, skills and experience expected of the assessor
  • The minimum frequency at which assessors should meet to standardise assessment practices across the EPAO
  • The tools, materials and methods to be used in the assessment
  • The EPAOs quality assurance processes for benchmarking performance and moderating assessments

External Quality Assurance

As well as Internal Quality Assurance, there is also External Quality Assurance (EQA) which is carried out by another body. This is important as there needs to be consistency of the quality of the EPA across the apprenticeship standard, regardless of which EPAO has delivered it.

The EQA is carried out by the Quality Assurer the Awarding Body (so an external person). This process guarantees that learners who have been registered with that specific Awarding Body have received a consistent level of high-quality training. The EQA monitors the relevant training centre’s processes to ensure they are meeting requirements too. This ensures a high standard of EPA is carried out on a regular basis.

So as you can see, an EPA is actually very different from an IQA so it is not a replacement. They are two completely different roles, and IQA is very important in order to check the final assessment decisions made by the IEPA. If you would like any further information on the qualifications you need in order to become an EPA or an IQA please email us on training@brooksandkirk.co.uk or call 01205 805 155.

assessment methods used in epa

Assessment Methods Used in End-Point Assessments

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If you had a read through our recent blog on the different types of Assessor roles, you will have seen us mention several different methods of assessment. Typically, NVQ Assessors (who take learners through the entire qualification) assess learners against ‘Learning Outcomes’ and ‘Assessment Criteria’. On-programme Assessors guide the learner through the majority of their qualification, ensuring their KSBs (Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours) are up to standard.

When it comes to End-Point Assessments (EPAs), the assessments carried out are completely different to the on-programme element. This is why there are special Independent End-Point Assessors (IEPAs) who carry these out.

What is the purpose of an EPA?

Let’s have a little recap. An EPA is created to make sure that an apprentice is fully competent to carry out their job. KSBs are the main tools used to measure this competency. If an IEPA doesn’t believe the apprentice has hit all of the KBBs, then they are not fully competent and would therefore fail their End-Point Assessment.

What does an EPA involve?

Unfortunately, there is no common format for an EPA, they vary between each apprenticeship. The best way to find out what is included within an EPA or a specific apprenticeship is to look at the assessment plan. We have written a quick guide on how to find an assessment plan if you are unsure.

The assessment plan will outline the main requirements for the final test, and which methods should be used to assess the learner. Employers themselves can determine the KSBs required for the job roles, but the assessment plan will guide them on how to test for occupational competence.

One thing to note is that EPAs aren’t designed to test every single aspect of the standard. Hence the apprenticeship being split into the on-programme section and the end-point section.

Some of the following methods are commonly used to test competence:

  • Multiple choice tests
  • Evidence portfolio (such as a logbook)
  • Observations on the learner’s practical skills
  • Professional discussion
  • Projects carried out in the workplace
  • Portfolio-based interview
  • Project presentation

Apprenticeship Standard

We mentioned earlier about the KSBs being found within the assessment plan but there is also another document you need to be aware of; the Apprenticeship Standard. This contains all of the KSBs that the apprentice needs to meet, whereas the Assessment Plan details what KSB each method is evidencing.

The Apprenticeship Standard also contains additional information including the duration of the Apprenticeship, the level of the Apprenticeship, any qualifications needed beforehand (e.g. Maths, English), and career progression opportunities.

Where does an EPA take place?

EPAs are carried out under exam conditions, so they need to be carried out where the apprentice can concentrate. Usually they take place at their employer’s premises. If an apprentice fails all or part of their EPA they are able to resubmit for testing. However, the apprentice will have already been put forward for the EPA by their on-programme assessor so they should be ready for that stage.

We hope this has helped to look at some of the assessment methods used in EPA. It is a hard question to give a direct answer to as they vary so much between apprenticeships. If you would like any further information on End-Point Assessments please give our team a call on 01205 805 155.

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