What is End Point Assessment?
The introduction of End Point Assessment (EPA) is one of the biggest changes in the history of apprenticeships.
Instead of being assessed continually throughout their course, all apprentices will now have to complete an End-Point Assessment to complete their qualification. The EPA is designed to test whether each apprentice has gained the skills, knowledge and behaviours outlined in the apprenticeship standard.
The EPA involves a series of tests that an apprentice must pass to prove that they have the ability to undertake the job they have been training for. These tests take place at the end of an apprenticeship, following a period of training and development referred to as the ‘on-programme’ period.
The employer, apprentice and training provider must all decide together that the individual is ready for the EPA process. This decision-making is known as the ‘gateway’ to End-Point Assessment.
The End-Point Assessment is the apprentice’s opportunity to showcase their talents.
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Apprenticeship Standards we Assess
The number of apprenticeship standards PAL is approved to assess grows regularly.
Assessment Process Overview
1.
Gateway Review
2.
Gateway Meeting
3.
Assessment Planning
4.
Assessment Schedule
5.
Assessment Undertaken
6.
Assessment Feedback
7.
Grade Finalisation
8.
Notification of Results
9.
Certification
Top FAQs
The end-point assessment must be conducted by a registered assessment organisation by somebody who is independent of the apprentice’s training and/or employer. This ensures robust and consistent assessment.
Synoptic assessments are designed to evaluate skills, knowledge and behaviours over a broad range of the relevant standard. A range of assessment methods will be used at each End-Point Assessment. These can include tests, observations, projects, professional discussions, competency interviews and portfolio reviews.
Employers should choose an appropriate End-point Assessment Organisation and agree on the price of End-point Assessment as early into the apprenticeship journey as possible. This information should be recorded in the apprenticeship commitment statement and the training provider should also record it in the ILR. The Register of End-point Assessment Organisations can be accessed to find out which organisations are approved to offer assessment for each apprenticeship standard.
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If you have any questions on Professional Assessment or would like to hear more about the process, please get in touch.