Training Providers, acting on behalf of their 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. Either Find an Assessment Opportunity or the new Apprentice Provider and Assessment Register APAR can be accessed to find out which organisations are approved to offer assessments for each apprenticeship standard.
Please note as of August 2022, there was a change regarding EPAO selection, permitting the Training Provider to have greater influence on the selection. However, it is important to stress the employer can still override the Training Provider and have the final say in the EPAO selection.
When selecting an EPAO, whilst it is vital price is a consideration, it is also worth finding out how an EPAO conducts account management, what EPA systems they use, what guidance and support materials are available and most critically, what are their turnaround times for EPA.
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.
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.
We have a full range of EPA preparation resources available for apprentices, employers and training organisations. These include sample questions, professional discussion and practical observation guidance, sample projects and revision guides. All support materials are available via Padlets that we make available to clients.
Our clients (both employers and training providers) have access to our EPA scheduling system, EPA Pro. The system enables apprentices to be referred for EPA, shows their schedule and results during the EPA period, and houses their assessment reports allowing secure, easy access for the relevant parties.
In most circumstances, yes. The aim is that the same assessor will be responsible for all the assessments for the apprentice. At PAL our overriding consideration is to ensure the best possible End-point Assessment experience for the apprentice.
Currently, EPA fees are paid by the training provider who contracts with the assessment organisation on the employer’s behalf. EPA fees should be agreed by the employer at the start of the apprenticeship and should be included in the overall negotiated cost of the apprenticeship.
Levy contributions cover EPA fees, and may cover resits (subject to the maximum funding band of the apprenticeship).
For non-levy paying employers, the funding source is different but the payment set up is the same – paid by the training provider who contracts with the assessment organisation on the employer’s behalf.
Usually, yes. However, PAL does offer a free first reassessment for certain assessment components. Please contact us at info@professionalassessment.co.uk for further information.
We may be able to offer discounted prices where there is guaranteed volumes of referrals or there is the option for multiple assessments at the same venue on the same day.
Our ID number is EPA0095. The training organisation will need this to complete the ILR and claim the apprenticeship funding.
The training organisation acting on behalf of the employer will liaise with PAL and notify us of the selection by registering the apprentice on our EPA Pro system. Our EPAO code must also be added to the apprentice’s ILR (Individual Learner Record).
Once your apprentice is referred to us following the gateway meeting, our team will arrange the assessment schedule with the employer and apprentice. The specific assessment plan dictates the maximum EPA duration. Arrangements will also consider optimum assessment timings for the apprentice and employer. In the majority of cases, the full assessment process lasts between 6-9 weeks, but we can turn assessments around on-demand and in a shorter timescale. We are always available to discuss assessment scheduling, so please feel free to contact us and a member of our team will be happy to talk through the options.
Employers and providers, along with the respective apprentice must decide together if the apprentice is ready for assessment by judging their learning and behaviours at the gateway review.
Remember that getting to gateway always means passing English and maths at the required level.
Our offer includes the provision of assessment guidance, assessment for learning materials and mock assessments and we recommend that apprentices have the opportunity to complete mock assessments, to evaluate readiness.
The ESFA issues apprenticeship certificates after the training organisation and the EPAO have confirmed the results of the assessment. The certificate is sent directly to the employer, usually within 14 days of the certification claim. As we cannot guarantee the ESFA’s timescales, we will provide a PAL-branded EPA record of achievement with the results notification.
Each standard has an approved assessment plan that has been compiled and agreed by an employer-led trailblazer group. The assessment plan details the nature of the assessments and the grading system to be applied. Additionally, the plans set out the roles and responsibilities of the assessor, the internal quality assurance function and the role of the external quality assurance body.
Employers choose which end-point assessment organisation to use. The full list of organisations approved for a particular standard can be found here. An organisation might be chosen based on reputation and good standing, or on advice from the training organisation.
It’s really important that employers and providers understand each other clearly from the outset. Both sides must manage the contract negotiation and processes well so that it’s clear who pays what and when – and also what counts as success at each stage of the apprenticeship journey. The Professional Assessment team have experience of apprenticeship delivery, so we are able to support discussions around how best to plan for EPA
As well as meeting the criteria detailed in each assessment plan, our team undergo a robust recruitment process to ensure they have the appropriate qualifications, a high-level of current industry experience and appropriate membership of professional bodies. We provide bespoke assessment training for all new assessors, plus on-going development to keep them up-to-date with industry and apprenticeship requirements.
We’re always interested in hearing from talented and experienced people who can assess apprentices’ performance. Please contact us at info@professionalassessment.co.uk if you are interested in becoming an assessor.