Apprenticeships and End-point Assessment Operating during the current national restrictions retailtrust.org.uk | myrtwellbeing.org.uk
Webinar Content § Information on the current apprenticeship landscape § Challenges for End-point assessment and possible solutions § Opportunity to ask questions and provide information
Information on the current apprenticeship landscape Tony Allen CEO of Allen Apprenticeships and Skills www.a-a-s.co.uk
ESFA response § Disappointing! § Extensions to timescales – 12 weeks § Break in Learning § EPAOs can suggest flexibilities to delivery of EPA to EQAs § No changes in funding arrangements
IFATE response § Delivery can be done remotely where this is possible § Gateway can be conducted remotely § Delivery ‘order’ of methods can be flexed § Still need to ensure proper levels of security e.g. –invigilation § Can be further changes if the EQA agrees § No re-writing of EPAPs. Delay is the only option where it is not possible to undertake the EPA without face to face.
Other issues § Furloughed apprentices: 1. Cannot work, but can be trained 2. Training providers and EPAOs continue to be paid 3. Where it can be done, EPA can be done with a furloughed apprentice § ESFA have made some almost unrelated changes around suspending audits and closing RoATP to new entrants after 15 th April.
So where does this leave us? § Where it is possible to undertake training and EPAs remotely, then you can § If in doubt seek advice from your EQAO § There is the possibility that EPA could be temporarily set aside, allowing training providers to sign-off apprentices § Keep up to date, especially with ESFA / IFATE announcements
Information on the current apprenticeship landscape Joe Ryan End-point Assessment Manager - retailTRUST www.retailtrust.org.uk
Challenges for EPA, options and solutions § Apprentices at gateway but cannot pass through § Apprentices already through gateway stage but restrictions mean some or all elements of the EPA cannot go ahead
Option 1 – Modification to EPA arrangements § Modification of our end-point assessment arrangements: I. Face to face assessments can be modified II. Must get agreement from EQAP, this would be done by the EPAO III. Think outside the box! IV. Keep things robust and fair but also allow the apprentice to undertake EPA
Option 2 – Re-schedule EPA activity § Re-scheduling of end-point assessments I. Some elements, such as observations may not be able to be completed. These elements can be re-scheduled II. EPAOs must work with EQAPs where an extension is required to allow re-scheduling III. This needs to be monitored on a week by week basis…
Option 3(Last resort) – Break in learning § Apprentices whose gateways are delayed can take a break before taking their EPA: I. Can take a break in learning and can be extended beyond he assessment plan limit II. End-point Assessment Organisations (EPAOs) are responsible for agreeing extensions III. EPAOs must work with their External Quality Assurance Providers (EQAP)s
Questions? Can be E-mailed to Joe – jryan@retailtrust.org.uk
Resources – Guidance for apprenticeships Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education: § https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/response-to-covid-19/ Government response to COVID-19 regarding apprenticeships: § https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-apprenticeship- programme-response Information about wage retention scheme: § https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wage-costs-through-the-coronavirus-job- retention-scheme
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