How to help your apprentice make the grade with their EPA

The apprentice's end point assessment (EPA) is designed to be an impartial test of whether they have gained the skills, knowledge and behaviours set out in their apprenticeship standard. This is when the learner is graded and marks the culmination of all that work they put in with their tutor in class and their employer in the workplace. 

So, we get it - it can be a nerve-wracking process for the learner. The EPA, however, is nothing to fear for the apprentice who has worked hard, been given the right support, and been equipped with the tools for success. A successful EPA is a wonderful thing and can be the beginning of a really rewarding career for the newly qualified. 

So, how do you help your apprentice make the grade with their EPA? Here is a useful guide to help you, as the employer or training provider, get to grips with the all-important assessment process. 

What rules does an EPA have to follow? 

Instead of being assessed continually throughout their course, all apprentices need to complete an end-point assessment to achieve their qualifications. Each EPA is different and the details for each one are set out in the apprenticeship standard for the corresponding subject.  

All assessments, however, must follow these rules:  

• They must be delivered by an independent end-point assessment organisation with no affiliation to the employer or training provider involved in the apprenticeship (unless you're a higher education institution delivering an integrated degree) 
• All end-point assessment providers must be approved by the ESFA (Education and Skills Funding Agency) before being added to the apprenticeship provider and assessment register (APAR) 
• When an employer recruits an apprentice, they select the end-point assessment organisation (EPAO) from the register and then confirm their selection with their training provider.  
• Most end point assessments will be graded - fail, pass, merit or distinction.  
• The apprentice cannot achieve their apprenticeship without passing the end-point assessment.  

When an apprentice is nearly ready to take the EPA, they must agree with their employer and EPAO on the best time for assessment. Their employer will then put them forward for the assessment.  

What will the EPA look like?  

EPAs, outlined in the assessment plan for each standard, must explain what's being assessed, how the apprentice will be assessed, and who will carry out the EPA - as well as indicate the quality assurance measures in place.  

The EPA can take a range of forms:  

• Workplace observations - involves an independent assessor observing an apprentice undertaking a task or series of tasks in the work setting as part of their normal duties.  
• Tests - predominately used to assess apprentice knowledge. This can include multiple choice tests as well as written response tests. 

• Practical assessment - independent assessor observing an apprentice undertaking a set task or a series of set tasks in a simulated environment for example at a training provider or specialist centre. 
• Professional discussions - a two-way discussion between an independent assessor and an apprentice to assess the apprentice's in-depth understanding of their work. 
• Interviews - an independent assessor asks an apprentice a series of questions to assess their competence against the required knowledge, skills and behaviours. 
• Project or assignment - the apprentice completes a defined piece of work after the gateway (the period between an apprentice completing their training and starting their EPA). This could be a written essay or, in practical occupations such as metal work or carpentry, producing something to assess. 
• Presentation - involves an apprentice presenting to an independent assessor on a particular topic. This is followed by questions from the independent assessor.  

Tutors create assessments and send them to the apprentice to evidence their learning. This helps the tutor monitor their learner's progress and levels of ability throughout the learning journey. 

How can I help my learner prepare for their EPA? 

There is plenty you can do to set your apprentice up for success. To ensure they have plenty of time to prepare, you should: 

• Introduce your apprentice with their EPAO so they can engage and understand what's expected of them. 
• Work together, tutor and employer, on developing mock assessments. 
• Talk about assessment preparation with your apprentice during review meetings. 
• Ensure our apprentice has sufficient study leave and support for assignments. 
• Set out targets that are clearly relevant to the assessment requirements. 
• Provide plenty of feedback on assignments. 
• Make sure reasonable adjustments are made for the assessment, where needed. 

After the assessment 

If successful in passing their assessment, your apprentice will be awarded with a certificate, requested by their EPAO on their behalf. 

For some apprenticeships, successful completion can also lead to professional recognition for the learner by an authorised body. Either way, consider how you can celebrate your apprentice's success. This is a big deal so think about a graduation ceremony perhaps, or you could nominate them for the National Apprenticeship Awards! 

If your apprentice fails one of more components of the end-point assessment, they will be given then chance to take a resit or retake. Feedback from the assessor is important here and can inform a supportive action plan that helps your learner get it right second time round. 

Finding the right end-point assessment organisation 

Back in the day, apprenticeships could be completed in-house by the employer. Today, the rules that govern funding for apprenticeships have been tightened up and an assessment by an independent, impartial assessor is now needed. That is, if you're not a higher education institution delivering an integrated degree. 

The advice is to find your end-point assessment organisation early on during the apprenticeship. This will give the employer and learner enough time to prepare for the assessment. Employers can work with training providers to choose their end-point assessment organisation. 

This is the link to the Government site that take you through the process step by step of finding your EPAO. 

How much does an EPA cost?  

The cost of each EPA will vary according to the requirements set out in the standards - such as assessment tools, methods, and estimated completion times. However, the EPA is expected to cost between 10-20% of the overall cost of the apprenticeship delivery.  

For non-levy payers, the employer will pay one third of the EPA costs and the ESFA will pay two thirds. For levy-paying employers, the EPA will be covered by their levy contributions. 

Onefile can help you and your learner towards a successful end point assessment. With the Onefile Eportfolio, you have all the features you need to deliver, manage and track your apprenticeships from initial assessment to the gateway, and then into the EPA.  

You want your apprentice's EPA to be a positive experience for them, giving them the confidence and platform to launch a successful career. Onefile will help you give them the best possible chance of success, and your business will also reap the benefits. 

Want to know more?  

Download our guide to see our End-point assessment frequently asked questions.