PAL Shortlisted as Finalist for Inaugural FAB EPA Awards
We're absolutely delighted to announce that PAL has been shortlisted for the Federation of Awarding Bodies EPA Awards 2022! The awards ceremony celebrates the achievements of end-point assessment organisations over the past year and will take place at FAB's EPA 2022 Conference on the 19th of May. PAL is a finalist in the Multi-Standard EPAO of the Year (SME) [...]
Maximising the Benefits of Professional Discussion and Minimising Threats to Validity
This White Paper will review the use of Professional Discussion (PD) as an assessment method and will include an insight into the findings of published academic research, in particular a study by Ahmed, Pollitt & Rose (2009). What is Professional Discussion? This use of PDs has become increasingly significant in End-Point Assessment (EPA) either as a discrete component with [...]
ESFA Best Practice Guides for End-point Assessment
The ESFA has published three guides to support high-quality end-point assessment for apprenticeships. Each guide is specific to either the apprentice, employer or training provider. Contents include how best to prepare for end-point assessment and important information about resits and retakes. The links to the documents can be found below: Apprentice Guidance Employer Guidance Training Provider Guidance [...]
End-point Assessment Methods – An informative video from IfATE
The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education has produced a useful, short video clip that explains the application and purpose of the most common assessment methods used in EPA. Click here to view the video.
Apprentices Must be Confident to Discuss Their Development at EPA
Contributed by Lucy Smith, Professional Assessor at PAL. End-point Assesment has changed the face of apprenticeships. Not just in terms of how programmes are delivered, but also in terms of the additional skills apprentices have to develop in order to prove their competence and ability. Ensuring the apprentice is fully proficient in the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours within the Standard [...]
The Importance of Funding Compliance
Successful providers must have effective funding compliance and data validation arrangements. My team are proud to be part of a service that is securing learning provision and funding to thousands of learners and their employers. An effective funding compliance regime is not only a source of financial safeguarding and assurance to training provider management, but it is also a [...]
Talk about End Point Assessment
Employers MUST be fully involved in the apprentices’ learning journey so that together they can measure their progress against the relevant new standard Don’t be afraid to have difficult and honest conversations with employers and apprentices if things are not going to plan. This is an opportunity to offer solutions! Communication is key. Line managers should find the time [...]
Stretching, Challenging and Aiming High
Focus your teaching and support on the areas and types of assessment that will be the most challenging for the individual apprentice Support apprentices fully; some will feel anxious about Endpoint Assessment. Combat this by encouraging them to PRACTISE, PRACTISE, PRACTISE! Continuously provide strong developmental feedback that will enhance and improve apprentices’ performance against the relevant standards [...]
Starting with the end in mind
Ensure that all parties are familiar with the standards and the content of the assessment plan. Design your training and formative assessment activities in line with the new standards – and the outcomes of the relevant End-point assessment Plan. Some apprentices and employers may wish to undertake some aspect of End-point remotely, and should feel confident about using the [...]