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In order to achieve an apprenticeship, the apprentice must successfully pass the End Point Assessment (EPA). The EPA is carried out by an independent assessor from the End Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO) after the apprentice has met all the requirements of Gateway.

Each apprenticeship standard has an EPA assessment plan which sets out the requirements, assessment methods and grading criteria for the EPA. The EPA format and requirements vary depending on the standard that the apprenticeship has been mapped to, and is designed to assess the apprentice’s achievement of the knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs) as set out in the apprenticeship standard.

Elements of the EPA

The EPA is usually split into two elements (dependent on the standard): a project showcase and a professional discussion. The assessment plan for each apprenticeship standard breaks down the KSBs into individual competencies and dictates which are to be covered in each element of the EPA.

Project showcase

• Report: 4000 words (+/-10%);
• Presentation: 20 minutes (+/-10%);
• Questioning session: 25-30 minutes duration;
• Completed in the last six months of the on-programme period.

The presentation must be face to face (except in exceptional circumstances) and is recorded for quality assurance purposes.

Professional discussion

• A discussion consisting of a structured series of topic areas;
• Driven by the independent assessor's review of the apprentice's portfolio of evidence;
• 50-60 minute in duration;
• Explores aspects of the work, including how it was carried out, in more detail.

The professional discussion must be face to face (except in exceptional circumstances) and is recorded for quality assurance purposes.

Project showcase

The project showcase is based on a topic that is to be agreed between the employer and apprentice, and must be of benefit to the business. The project showcase must be achievable within the employer’s business constraints, whilst meeting the needs of the EPA.

Examples of projects include:

• The rebranding of a family business following diversification;
• The market research and business planning for a new service;
• Reviewing and making recommendations for improving a service delivery area;
• Designing and delivering service change across locations and teams;
• The development of data analytics to expand marketing opportunities;
• Strategic development of a global company;
• International marketing of a global company.

The project showcase must cover:

• What the apprentice set out to achieve, how they approached the work and dealt with any issues;
• The key outcomes of the work-based project;
• Recommendations and lessons learned from the work-based project.

The project showcase is made up of a report, presentation and questioning session. Apprentices must complete and submit a report based on their work-based project to the chosen EPAO and then subsequently present this to an independent assessor followed by the question session.

The project showcase can be integrated into the academic programme, for example, one module on the Executive MBA is an independent work-based project, which serves as the project showcase.

Professional discussion

The professional discussion is a discussion that takes place between the apprentice and the independent assessor from the EPAO. During their apprenticeship, the apprentice must build and produce a portfolio of evidence which demonstrates how they have achieved and applied the KSBs in their workplace. From the portfolio, the apprentice will choose a number of key pieces of evidence, cross鈥恟eference them to each competency criterion, and provide a narrative of how the evidence demonstrates the achievement and application of the KSBs in their workplace.

This portfolio, once complete and submitted, will be reviewed by the independent assessor, from which they will structure a series of discussion topics to explore aspects of the apprentice’s work, including how it was carried out, in more detail.