CIEA Webinar - De-mystifying End Point Assessment

Webinar focus

End Point Assessment (EPA) is the final stage of an apprenticeship. It is an independent assessment of the knowledge, skills and behaviours gained over an apprenticeship programme. An EPA is a regulated qualification, and a pass is required in order to achieve an apprenticeship. This places an EPA alongside other regulated qualifications such as GCSEs, A levels and vocational and technical qualifications including Functional Skills Qualifications.

A range of organisations play a part in ensuring the quality of apprenticeships including the Department for Education (DfE), the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE), Ofsted, Ofqual and the Office for Students (OfS).

Employers, training providers and awarding organisations also play a key part in any apprenticeship and the EPA may include any or all of a practical assignment, an interview, a project, written and/or multiple-choice tests or a presentation. The apprenticeship may also require completion or passes in other qualifications such as English or Mathematics or licensing qualifications.

This approach to assessment covers a range of approaches calling for knowledgeable and skilful assessors. Yet for those outside of the technical and vocational sector, there is often little recognition of the process.

This CIEA webinar presents an opportunity to take a look at EPAs and the implications of recent developments announced by the Government relating to the place of English and Mathematics qualifications in apprenticeship programmes. The intention is to share and draw on the skills of colleagues working in this field and the place of EPAs in the qualifications’ framework.

Panellists

Ian Gunn is a Trustee of the CIEA

Ian will talk about the rigours and constrictions of current EPA assessment plans, on how much depends on the preparation ahead of the EPA, and how the interaction between the assessor and the apprentice directs the final outcome. Unlike better known systems, the EPA process has no standardised approach or exemplar materials.

Ian is a Fellow of the CIEA. He taught Economics, Business, ICT and maths for 35 years in a range of UK education environments finishing his teaching career at Whickham School, Gateshead.

As a Chief Examiner with Pearson and Principal Standards Verifier, also with Pearson, Ian has been involved in setting, marking and moderating a range of subjects both academic and vocational. With NCFE, Ian has Chaired Functional Skills (maths) and held a Principal Examiner role (English) with NOCN. More recently, he has been involved with examination inspections and conducts extensive Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) and External Quality Assurance (EQA) with a variety of centres. Ian has written a GCSE Business textbook and various textbooks for BTEC courses. Quality Assurance is at the heart of everything in which he believes and promotes.

Bernie Zakary is Head of Energy & Utilities Independent Assessment Service

Bernie will talk about aspects of apprenticeship end-point assessment and the potential implications of the recent Government announcements re apprentice assessment.

Bernie Zakary is a Fellow of the CIEA and joined Energy & Utilities as Head of the Energy & Utilities Independent Assessment Service (EUIAS) in October 2019. Bernie joined the EUIAS from Highfield Qualifications where he was Director of Qualification Development where he was responsible for developing regulated qualifications and end-point assessments across a wide range of sectors and assessment plans including aviation, rail and health and social care.

He has extensive awarding organisation experience in qualification development including in EDI and Pearson. Bernie started his career in teaching and was Head of Department for Mathematics, ICT and Business Studies. He worked for Coventry Education Authority as an Education-Industry Advisor during which time he set up the Gaydon Technology Centre in partnership with Rover Group. Bernard was also the Principal Officer for ICT at the Qualification and Curriculum Agency (QCA).

The session will be chaired by Dr Mick Walker, President of the CIEA.

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Further information

The webinar will be recorded. Following short presentations from each of the contributors, participants are welcome to raise questions and points of discussion through the Chair.

We hope you will be able to join us.