Standard
Code

ST0385 v1.4

Maximum Funding

£9000

Typical
Duration

24 months (not including EPA period)

Level

5

Standard
EPA Price*

£1800

EQA Provider

Ofqual

*   This price represents our maximum charge for the standard EPA (excluding reassessment). Please get in touch to discuss potential discounts and added value.

End-Point Assessment Requirements

English and maths

Effective from 11 February 2025, the government has removed the mandatory English and maths functional skills requirement for apprentices aged 19 and above who start their apprenticeship training. This change includes apprentices who are currently on the programme.

The new ruling applies to apprentices on programme and all apprentices starting their programmes from February 2025.

Employers and apprentices must agree by 1st April 2025 whether apprentices aged 19 and above on programme will continue studying English and maths.

  • Providers must record the decision in the training plan.
  • Apprentices must continue their studies until an agreement is made.

It is worth noting that whilst the mandatory requirement for English and Maths has been removed, apprentices and employers can still choose to receive English and Maths training and participate in the associated tests.

For apprentices under the age of 19 at programme commencement, there is still a requirement to undertake Maths and English training and take functional skills tests.

Project with Report

The project with report involves the apprentice completing a significant and defined piece of work that has a real business application and benefit. The project with report must meet the needs of the employer’s business and be relevant to the apprentice’s occupation and apprenticeship.

  • This assessment has 2 components – the written project report and the presentation with questions and answers.
  • The project itself is undertaken and completed on-programme and pre-Gateway – it does not form part of end-point assessment.
  • The written project report is started post-Gateway.
  • The written project report must have a word count of 4000 words (+/- 10%).
  • The apprentice must submit their written project report and any presentation materials to PAL by the end of week 12 of the end-point assessment period.
  • The apprentice must prepare and deliver a presentation to the independent assessor. After the presentation, the apprentice will be asked at least 6 questions.
  • The presentation and questioning must last 60 minutes, typically 20 minutes for the presentation and 40 minutes for the questioning (+10% at the independent assessor’s discretion).
  • Webinar or video conferencing software can be used for the assessment.
  • This method of assessment has fail, pass and distinction grades.

Professional Discussion underpinned by a Portfolio of Evidence

In the professional discussion, an independent assessor and apprentice have a formal two-way conversation. It gives the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this assessment method.

  • The underpinning portfolio of evidence is completed during the on-programme period of the apprenticeship and must be submitted to PAL at Gateway.
  • The independent assessor will review the portfolio of evidence and use it to identify areas for the professional discussion – it is not directly assessed.
  • The professional discussion must last for 60 minutes (+10% at the independent assessor’s discretion).
  • The apprentice will be asked at least 6 questions.
  • Webinar or video conferencing software can be used for the assessment.
  • This method of assessment has fail, pass and distinction grades.
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How to engage with PAL.

Engaging with PAL couldn’t be easier. Simply contact us at info@professionalassessment.co.uk or on 0800 1601899. Our senior team will contact you to find out about your requirements in more detail and discuss how we might need to adapt our approach to meet your needs. Once you are happy that PAL is the right fit for your programme, we set up your account, share our library of resources and support you to register your apprentices. You can then rest assured that you have a dedicated team on hand to guide you through your EPA journey and provide a responsive service when your apprentices are ready to be assessed.

View the EPA Process Here:

EPA Process