Standard
Code
ST0327 v1.2
Maximum Funding
£5000
Typical
Duration
14 months
Level
2
Standard
EPA Price*
£650
EQA Provider
Ofqual
End-Point Assessment Requirements*
*Please note, this is the latest version of the assessment plan. If your apprentice embarked on the programme prior to 28/05/2023, they may have been working towards the previous version of the assessment plan. Please contact us if you need further information.
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
- 2.5 hour observation of the apprentice in their workplace.
- The apprentice should be observed carrying out Customer Support, Stock Control and Communication knowledge, skills and behaviours mapped to this assessment method.
- The independent assessor must ask at least 5 questions to assess underpinning knowledge, skills and behaviours. Questioning can occur both during and after the observation, and is included in the total assessment time.
- The independent assessor must ask questions about knowledge, skills and behaviours that were not observed to gather assessment evidence. These questions are in addition to the above set number of questions for the observation with questions and should be kept to a minimum.
- 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 will typically contain 14 pieces of ‘real’ work-related evidence in total, and be mapped to the knowledge skills and behaviours that will be assessed by the interview. The portfolio is not directly assessed.
- A structured, 60 minute interview between the apprentice and their independent assessor. The apprentice will be asked at least 6 questions
- The interview will assess knowledge, skills and behaviours mapped to this method of assessment. The themes are Legislation, regulations and organisational policies/procedures, Customer profiles, business objectives and reputation, and Self and team development.
- Webinar or video conferencing software can be used for the assessment.
- This method of assessment has fail, pass and distinction grades.
Available Resources
- Training provider resource library
- EPA Specification (click here to view)
- PAL Guide – Making the Apprenticeship Journey Successful (click to view)
Previous Assessment Plan Version(s)
Available for apprentices enrolled on or before 28/05/2023
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.