CIOB is entering the apprenticeships market in England

CIOB is entering the apprenticeships market within England, by applying to be an assessment organisation on the register of end-point assessment organisations (EPAOs).  Only organisations on the register of EPAOs are eligible to conduct end-point assessment (EPA) of apprentices.

What is EPA?
EPA is one of the biggest changes in the new apprenticeship reforms in England.  Instead of being assessed continually throughout their apprenticeship, all apprentices now have to complete an EPA to complete their apprenticeship. The EPA is designed to test whether each apprentice has gained the knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSB’s) outlined in the standard and grade each apprentice according to their performance.

How are apprentices assessed?
Synoptic EPA has become a core feature of new apprenticeship standards because it assesses the apprentice’s performance across the whole standard rather than for individual tasks.
The major difference between new Standards and old NVQ Frameworks, is that the apprenticeship concludes after a final independent summative assessment.  This is facilitated by the EPAO.

What is the role of an independent end-point assessor (IEPA)?
The EPA process starts when the apprentice has met all the training requirements of the standard and their employer confirms they are assessment ready.  The EPA must be planned, conducted and graded by a fully trained and competent IEPA, ensuring conflict of interests are met.  The IEPA must be employed by the EPAO.  

Upon successful completion, internal quality assurance and moderation is carried out. The EPAO confirms a final assessment grade to the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) and a formal Apprenticeship certificate is printed and sent.

If you would like to know more about CIOB’s work in this area, please contact [email protected].