Starting to deliver apprenticeship end-point assessment
Updated 1 August 2023
Applies to England
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Once you have been approved as an end-point assessment organisation (EPAO) and are eligible to be on the apprenticeship provider and assessment register (APAR), these are some of the areas you need to consider and plan for.
Eligible costs
Understand eligible costs as set out in the conditions of acceptance. When you start to work with an employer, make sure these costs are discussed and agreed with the employer and the training provider.
Service level agreement
It is best practice to have a service level agreement in place with the employer and training provider for assessment delivery. This may be a schedule in the contract for services.
A service-level agreement could include:
- lead time
- costs
- resit costs (be clear on who covers these)
- process for reassessment
- appeals process and any appeal charges
- confirmation that data will be retained
Arranging assessment
Explain to your apprentice, employer and training provider how the assessment process will be managed. Consider all the practical aspects involved such as:
- how they book their end-point assessment
- the gateway process
- the advance notice period required to book an assessment
- technology and venue requirements
- access and security clearance for assessors if they need to visit the apprentice’s location of work
- pre-testing systems to ensure the apprentice and the assessor both have access
Discuss the following with your apprentice, employer and training provider:
- the process and fees for cancellations and no shows
- how assessments are marked
- how results and feedback are communicated
- the quality assurance processes in place
- any reasonable adjustments that may be required
- resit and retake policy
- appeal policy
Conflicts of interest
You must be aware of potential conflicts of interest as set out in the conditions of acceptance and manage and mitigate these in the delivery of your assessment service.
Quality assurance
It is good practice for EPAOs to set out their intended quality assurance model for the delivery of end-point assessment at this point. This should include standardisation, moderation and internal and independent quality assurance.
Risk management
You should have a risk management process in place and have an awareness of the necessary external quality assurance process and required actions for EPAOs.
Integrated degree apprenticeships
For an integrated degree apprenticeship, the training provider (normally a university or higher education institute) also delivers the end-point assessment, as it forms part of the degree qualification.
The training provider in their capacity as an EPAO will need to apply and be accepted to the APAR.
In some circumstances, the university awarding the degree may be delivering the apprenticeship training with an employer-provider organisation. In this instance, the university awarding the degree is responsible for the assessment and will act as the EPAO.