PAL named as the first EPA organisation approved for the new Maritime Caterer Apprenticeship
Click here to read our article in FE News about the Maritime Caterer Apprenticeship Standard.
Professional Discussion for Apprenticeship Standards
The professional discussion is a widely used assessment method in End-point Assessment and, while this is not a new assessment method (NVQs and Frameworks frequently deployed this technique), it has been relatively common that professional discussions have been more akin to question and answer sessions. Guidance on conducting professional discussions usually focuses on what it is, and what the assessor [...]
Professional Discussion- Employer Presence
Recent changes to assessment plans and clarification from EQAs, has provided guidance regarding the role and the presence of the employer in a professional discussion. For the 17 standards that we offer currently, the following table details when an employer’s presence at the professional discussion is required. Typically this will be denoted in an assessment plan as ‘the employer will [...]
Hospitality Update January 2019 – Summary of Changes to the Senior Production Chef Assessment Plan
The ‘Senior Chef, Production Cooking’ apprenticeship standard has now been reviewed and the updated apprenticeship is now entitled ‘Senior Production Chef’. There are several changes to the assessment plan for the standard. These changes apply to apprentices enrolling onto the programme from the 7th of January 2019 Some of the key changes to the assessment methods in the plan are [...]
Apprenticeship Gateway Reviews – Getting it right!
The Gateway review is a critical milestone in the apprenticeship journey in that it denotes a move from on-programme delivery to independent assessment. What’s the purpose of the Gateway Review? The aim of the gateway review is to judge the apprentice’s readiness for end-point assessment, and readiness means that those involved in the on-programme delivery have agreed that the knowledge, [...]
One Small Step into 2019…
It has certainly been a whirlwind year, and, for me, one filled with new experiences and learning. Now, as the 2018 calendar draws to a close, we are almost at the time when we can relax for a few days and spend time with loved ones, before coming back refreshed and ready for the challenges ahead. 2019 will be a landmark [...]
Portfolios of Evidence – How do they Contribute to End-point Assessment?
A common misconception about End-point Assessment is that it replaces the need for the apprentice to produce evidence of their performance while on programme, and the need for that evidence to be assessed by the on-programme assessor. However, portfolios of evidence feature as an End-point Assessment component in various apprenticeship assessment plans, so on-programme trainers and assessors need to know [...]
Director of Audit and Compliance, Rupert Crossland in FE Week
Click here to read Rupert's thoughts on subcontracting fees.
Proposed Changes to the 2019 Inspection Framework – The Same but Different?
By Andrea Bick, National Consultant at Professional Assessment. Acknowledgement to Richard Moore of Richard Moore Solutions It has recently been reported that, from September 2019, Ofsted intends to make changes to the inspection framework. At first glance, much of the information around the changes seems to be focussed on primary and secondary education. However, the principles are likely to flow [...]
The Importance of Funding Compliance
Successful providers must have effective funding compliance and data validation arrangements. My team are proud to be part of a service that is securing learning provision and funding to thousands of learners and their employers. An effective funding compliance regime is not only a source of financial safeguarding and assurance to training provider management, but it is also a sign [...]