Standard
Code

ST0589 v1.2

Maximum Funding

£7000

Typical
Duration

12 months

Level

2

Standard
EPA Price*

£1400

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.

Observation with Questions

  • The observation will take 2 hours and 30 minutes (+10% at the independent assessor’s discretion). The observation duration is 2 hours, and the post-observation questioning duration is 30 minutes.
  • The independent assessor should observe the following:
    • Production of dishes using fresh and pre-prepared ingredients.
    • Presentation
    • Teamwork.
    • Communication.
    • Observance of standard operating procedures to produce and serve food to business standards.
    • Use of equipment and technology, including preventative maintenance.
    • Adherence to food safety legislation and hygiene management principles.
  • The independent assessor will ask the apprentice a minimum of 3 questions.
  • This method of assessment has fail, pass and distinction grades.

Interview underpinned by a Portfolio of Evidence

  • The portfolio of evidence is completed during the on-programme period of the apprenticeship and must be submitted to PAL at Gateway.
  • The portfolio must contain ‘real’ work evidence related and be mapped to each of the knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs) that will be assessed by the interview.
  • The portfolio will typically contain 9 pieces of evidence in total. The evidence provided must be valid and attributable to the apprentice.
  • The independent assessor will review the portfolio and use it to identify areas for the interview – it is not directly assessed.
  • The interview must last for 60 minutes (+10% at the independent assessor’s discretion).
  • The independent assessor will ask the apprentice a minimum of 10 questions.
  • The interview will assess the apprentice’s competence against the themes of:
    • Produce dishes.
    • Stock control.
    • Problem solving.
    • Kitchen management.
    • Adaptation and modification.
    • Legislation.
    • Self management.
  • 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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Available Resources

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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