Apprenticeship assessment in England

Under the current system of end-point assessment (EPA), apprentices must complete all on-programme training before passing though gateway to be assessed externally by an end-point assessment organisation (EPAO). 

Their detailed assessment plans contain set information on the different methods of assessment, timings, number of questions and so on – which all learners must adhere to.

With the new plans for apprenticeship assessment, assessment can take place during the training programme where appropriate. Some of these assessments can be assessed by the training provider, and behaviours verified by the employer. 

The aim is to give employers the responsibility of ensuring development within their environment and work culture, which will allow EPAOs to focus on technical knowledge and skills.

As part of the national reform of apprenticeship assessment, several key developments are underway. What we know so far:

• Standards remain unchanged; only the assessment plans are being revised
• Each plan will include one stipulated assessment method, with additional methods selected from a list of suitable options
• Employer validation of behaviours will be required. These behaviours will not be assessed by the assessment organisation

• Not all Knowledge and Skills need to be covered in every assessment. However, as an assessment organisation, our suite of assessments will ensure full coverage over time
• The situation regarding mandated qualifications for new standards is still unclear. For existing standards, if a mandatory qualification sufficiently covers the KSBs, it will become the sole assessment method
• The ESFA register of approved EPAOs is being restructured. Instead of listing by individual standards, it will now be organised by sector subject area (e.g., Engineering and Manufacturing).