Apprenticeships and End-point assessments

[edit] How do apprenticeships work?

Apprenticeships are a form of training designed with employers that combine practical work in a job and studying. They can be useful for employers developing new employees skills, education and experience. Employers may work in partnership with a training provider to deliver an apprenticeship programme.

The system of apprenticeship was first developed in the later Middle Ages and came to be supervised by craft guilds and local governments. A master craftsman was entitled to employ young people as an inexpensive form of labour in exchange for providing food, lodging and formal training in the craft.

From the 1990s onward the UK Government introduced Modern Apprenticeships (renamed Apprenticeships in England, Wales and Northern Ireland), based on frameworks of the Sector Skills Councils. In 2009, the National Apprenticeship Service was founded to coordinate apprenticeships in England.

Apprenticeships today can run over long periods of time and as such, instead of being assessed continually throughout the apprenticeship, a process known as End-Point Assessment (EPA) has been developed to ensure attendees develop the correct knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs) and this must be completed at the end of an apprenticeship.

The difference between current apprenticeship standards and old NVQ Frameworks, is that the apprenticeship concludes after a final independent summative assessment. This is facilitated by the End-Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO) and is independent from the training provider and employer, ensuring there are no conflicts of interests. The EPA can only be arranged and confirmed once the apprentice has passed a “gateway meeting” completed by the apprentice, employer and training provider.

Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, the EPAO confirms a final assessment grade to the Education and Skills Funding Agency and a formal apprenticeship certificate is printed and sent.

An apprentice can:

• Be an employee earning a wage and getting holiday pay.
• Work alongside experienced staff.
• Gain job-specific skills.
• Get time for training and study related to your role (at least 20% of your normal working hours).
• Take 1 to 5 years to complete depending on their level.

Apprenticeships have equivalent educational levels:

• Intermediate, Level 2, GCSE.
• Advanced, Level 3, A level.
• Higher, Levels 4,5,6 and 7, Foundation degree and above.
• Degree, Level 6 and 7, Bachelor’s or master’s degree.

For more information about apprenticeship visit the Institute for apprenticeships: https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org

[edit] CIOB End-Point Assessment

The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) is an End-Point Assessment Organisation that can deliver End-Point Assessments for the following standards in England:

• Level 6 Construction Site Management.
• Level 6 Construction Quantity Surveyor.
• Level 6 Design and Construction Management.
• Level 4 Construction Site Supervisor.
• Level 4 Construction Quantity Surveying Technician.

Successful apprentices can apply for Chartered Membership of the CIOB, a professional qualification comparable to a Bachelor’s Degree.

For more information see: 'End-Point Assessments' and 'Apprenticeships'

[edit] Construction EPA Company

The Construction EPA Company is looking for Architectural Technology professionals to become end-point assessors and/or to assist in a consultant role with the development of the end-point assessment for the Level 4 Construction Design and Build Technician apprenticeship standard.

The Construction EPA Company is a registered End Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO) delivering end-point assessments across a diverse range of construction apprenticeship standards. They are looking for Architectural Technology professionals to assist with the development of the end-point assessment for the Level 4 Construction Design and Build Technician apprenticeship standard.

There are also vacancies for end-point assessment assessors. Architectural Technology Professionals that are accepted for this will receive a full induction and training.

For more information see the original article posted on the CIAT website news April 28 2022, entitled Architectural Technology professionals sought for apprenticeship support or contact the https://www.constructionepa.com directly

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