The Apprentices EPA Journey 28 th June 2018

The Apprentice’s EPA Journey 28 th June 2018 Rohini Bhattacharya, Head of Apprenticeship Services Hannah Eldridge, EPA Delivery Manager

Today’s discussion • The End-point assessment (EPA) - Recap • Pearson’s EPA service overview • SMART EPA – an exciting partnership! • The Apprentices’ EPA Journey – Provider’s perspective • Example Apprentice registration + EPA Booking • Timelines for roll-out X 046 2

The End Point Assessment Recap X 046 3

End Point Assessments (EPAs) • They are an independent synoptic assessment of the skills, knowledge and behaviours the apprentices have gained during their apprenticeship programme in readiness to perform the role competently • EPAs are conducted by an independent EPAO that is registered on the ESFA’s Ro. EPA (Register of EPA Organisations) • EPAOs are responsible for: • • • X 046 4 designing assessment instruments administering and marking assessments ensuring assessments are robust, valid and reliable Recruiting occupationally competent assessors All EQA activities and audits Returning completion data to ESFA and claiming Apprenticeship certificates

Once employer and provider contract signed 1. EPA price per apprentice 2. EPA components delivery method 3. Reassessment policy applicable 4. Reassessment price 5. Payment Terms Processes X 046 EPA Contract signing 5 EPA Planning meeting Countdown to EPA (1) Countdown to EPA (2) Within 8 weeks after contract signing AND minimum of 6 months before EPA date 3 months prior to estimated EPA date 2 months prior to estimated EPA date 1. Organisational context and role of apprentice 2. Approx EPA dates and delivery method 3. Gateway sign-off process 4. EPA delivery duration 5. Evidence requirements 6. On-programme progress mapping 1. Check on programme progress 2. English and Maths evidence requirements 3. EPA components 4. Special needs 5. Access/ facilities 6. Marking & Grading 7. Appeals process 1. EPA Booking on EPAO systems 2. Apprentice details on EPAO systems 3. Assessor allocations 4. Gateway sign-off dates booked 5. Feedback process and Results SLA 6. Declaration for ESFA certificates Countdown to EPA (3) 1 month prior to estimated EPA date 1. Any changes to EPA dates 2. English and Maths achievement evidence 3. Gateway signoff process and evidence 4. Readiness for submission of portfolio/ project/ presentation Gateway Timelines EPA Stage EPA Service delivery – Stages and touch points

An exciting partnership! X 046 6

SMART EPA Journey X 046 7

Pearson + SMART EPA • This is a new IT system ‘external’ to Pearson • Not to be accessed via EOL or QMA – standalone system • Access to providers (super user) set-up after contract is signed; email invitation sent to super user via Smart EPA (SEPA) • Multiple users from the provider organisation can be set-up on the system • Evolving platform – upgrades by Smart Apprentices every month – changes in user experience – regular updates would be facilitated by Pearson X 046 8

As a Training Provider……. Sign a Letter of Intent Soon after signing contract with employer Sign an EPA Services contract Ideally, 6 months prior to first EPA due date Dedicated Apprenticeship Services Manager + EPA Delivery Manager EPA Planning Ideally, 5 months meeting prior to first EPA due date Actions triggered on Smart EPA Super user account created on SMART EPA (SEPA) X 046 9 Employer details and set-up completed on SEPA Customer access and Training on SEPA system

The Apprentices’ EPA journey Provider’s perspective X 046 10

Example apprentice registration and EPA Booking X 046 11

Actions for Training Provider to complete on SEPA • Register apprentices on the system (ADD/ DELETE/ AMEND/VIEW) • Request EPA (booking an EPA): • Book EPA for apprentices individually • Book each component separately • Book the ‘preferred time’ for each component individually • Upload apprentice documentation on SEPA as evidence for assessor • Maintain apprentice details X 046 12

Timelines for SEPA roll - out 1. July 2018: SEPA customisation and process mapping 2. July 2018 onwards: Use of SEPA Live system by Pearson’s internal apprenticeship and customer services team members (critical system update due from SEPA) 3. End August 2018: Customer training videos/ manuals 4. September 2018 onwards: Roll - out of customer training by CS team in Manchester 5. September/ October 2018 onwards: 'Go-Live' to market whereby providers are able to 'register and book' apprentices on SEPA X 046 13