What’s included in this EPA?
There are two pathways available in this Apprenticeship. For all routes there are core skills, knowledge and behaviours Apprentices learn during their on-programme training. As well as being assessed on all core elements there are additional skills and knowledge to learn depending on their chosen pathway.
- Electrical
- Mechanical
Full EPA Specification
Get all the details about this Apprenticeship’s assessment including the applicable skills, knowledge and behaviours it will be measured against
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The EPA process
When does it happen?
Apprentices learn at different speeds, typically they’ll spend 24 months training on the job and being guided through their structured learning plan (ST0847) by the Training Provider.
The Gateway for EPA will be when an employer (in consultation with the Training Provider) believes the Apprentice can consistently demonstrate all of the knowledge, skills and behaviours outlined in their pathway’s learning plan.
What must be complete?
Your Apprentice will be ready for EPA when they have:
- Achieved Level 2 qualification in English and Mathematics for apprentices aged 16-18 at the time of starting their apprenticeship
- A portfolio of evidence to support the Professional Interview
Training Providers must submit the learner Gateway Form and supporting evidence via ACE360.
What happens next?
LEIA Assessment
Reviews Gateway Form and passes Apprentice through the Gateway
Employer or Training Provider
Books EPA dates with LEIA ASAP. It can take up to 3 months to schedule Assessments, so the earlier the better.
Training Provider
Receives and pays the EPA invoice, which must be paid in full prior to EPA
Apprentice
Ensures all mock assessments have been completed.
Complete EPA within 6 months of Gateway.
NextWhat is it?
It’s a 30-question test assessed against the outlined knowledge and behaviours.
30 closed response multiple choice questions, where one answer from a choice of four must be selected. 4 of these questions will be scenario based as they relate to skills.
How does it work?
This test needs to be taken under controlled conditions. A quiet environment, free from distractions and influence, without access to reference materials, and in the presence of an EPAO appointed invigilator.
It can be done online or face-to-face computer-based.
The time limit is 60 minutes.
How is it assessed?
Tests taken via our online testing tool will be marked automatically by the system.
One question equals one point, 30 points are available.
Score of 21 or less = Fail
Score 22 – 26 = Pass
Score 27 or more = Distinction
1x Knowledge Test re-sit for each Apprentice is included in our EPA price.
NextWhat is it?
Observations are perfect for allowing people to demonstrate their skills through completing hands-on tasks in a realistic work setting which will be a customers premises. The approach consists of:
- Completing a Thorough Examination report
- Inspection of 3 items of plant, machinery, or equipment (that provides the breadth and depth of the core KSBs and the option KSBs across the 3 inspections) to assess condition.
- Production of a report to document findings identified and completed during the examination and inspection activity.
- Interaction with customer
- Application of technical inspection procedures and safe systems of work, including preparation of a risk assessment to support the Risk Assessment cluster of grade descriptors.
- Use of appropriate PPE and tools as required for the task.
How does it work?
The Assessor will only observe one Apprentice at a time.
Observations are arranged in consultation with employers, and Apprentices are provided with an assessment brief and timings before their assessment.
The observation is 5 hours long.
There will be an additional 30 minutes to ask a minimum of five questions after the observation is completed.
How is it assessed?
Observations are assessed against the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours of the Standard (ST0847) and use the Grading Table to determine a Pass, or Fail.
NextWhat is it?
A one-to-one professional Interview with open questions.
LEIA Assessment trains Assessors to prepare for, and conduct, robust and fair professional interviews.
Guiding question banks are in place to support the development of appropriately professional interviews that draw out the best of the Apprentices’ competence and excellence.
How does it work?
The interview takes place between the Assessor and the Apprentice with a minimum of 12 questions asked over a 90 minute period.
The Assessor will prepare their questions for the interview by reviewing the Apprentice’s Portfolio of Evidence.
During the discussion it’s okay for Apprentices to refer to their hard copy Portfolio to illustrate and evidence their answers.
How is it assessed?
Apprentices’ professional interview answers will be assessed against the Knowledge, Skills & Behaviours for this assessment method.
The Portfolio of Evidence itself is not directly assessed.
Grading is against the Standard (ST0847) and the Grading Table is used to award a Pass, Distinction or Fail.
Grading
Marks for all three elements of the EPA are combined to reach an overall grade of a Pass, Distinction or Fail. To achieve final certification for this standard, the Apprentice must achieve a minimum of a Pass in each of the three EPAs. Those who gain Distinction will have demonstrated exceptional performance above the standard requirements. Those who fail will be able to analyse their grading feedback and, with employer approval, may be able to take resits.
Full Grading Table
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FAQ’s
When should I book my EPA?
An Apprentices EPA should be booked as soon as an Apprentice has moved through the Gateway. It’s advisable to register learners on ACE360 at the earliest opportunity during their on-programme learning and keep their progress record up-to-date so we can try to ensure we have resources available at the earliest opportunity once the Apprentice is ready. As a minimum we must know about the Apprentices intention to move towards EPA 3 months prior to coming to the Gateway.
How long does the EPA take?
This is determined by each individual assessment plan, but an EPA can take anywhere from 3 to 6 months depending on what’s included.
Do EPA assessments have to be in the same order?
Although a lot of assessment plans mandate an order that some assessments need to be taken in, this requirement has now been permanently removed by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education. This means that assessments can be taken in any order for all assessment plans.
What happens if my Apprentice fails their EPA?
If an Apprentice is unsuccessful in passing their EPA they’ll be given a detailed final grading report containing feedback on their unsuccessful areas. The Apprentice may need some additional training before re-sitting their assessment. Where this is the case, the Apprentice must still complete their EPA in the assigned EPA window as defined in the Assessment Plan.
Apprentices will only need to re-sit the element(s) of the EPA in which they were unsuccessful. The decision on whether the Apprentice is able to re-sit the EPA is up to the Employer. Re-sits / re-takes will be chargeable at a rate per assessment and are not included in the initial agreed costs.
