End Point Assessment

End-point assessment (EPA) is the final stage of an apprenticeship. It is an impartial assessment of whether your apprentice has developed the skills, knowledge and behaviours outlined in the apprenticeship standard.

Assessments are designed by employers in the sector and are conducted by independent bodies known as end-point assessment organisations (EPAOs).

It’s important that you select an EPAO as early into the apprenticeship as possible, either directly or through your training provider, to ensure that your apprentice fully understands the assessment criteria and how they will be assessed.

As well as successfully completing the EPA, your apprentice may need to complete several additional requirements before completion. This might include mandatory English and maths qualifications.

Once all elements of the apprenticeship are completed, the apprentice will receive their apprenticeship certificate.

Assessment costs

Levy employers will use their apprenticeship levy funds to cover assessment costs.

Non-levy employers are able to access funding to cover their assessment costs (up to the funding band maximum) as part of the total funding you receive via your digital account which we will help with.

The assessment

Each apprenticeship includes an end-point assessment plan which describes how the apprentice should be tested against the appropriate criteria, using suitable methods. For example, you apprentice may need to complete:

• a practical assessment
• an interview
• a project
• written and/or multiple choice tests
• a presentation

Preparing for the assessment

To ensure that your apprentice has plenty of time to prepare, you should:

• ensure your apprentice knows who their EPAO is
• ensure your apprentice engages with their EPAO to understand what is expected of them
• work with the training provider to develop mock assessments
• discuss assessment preparation with your apprentice during review meetings
• provide study leave and support for assignments
• set out targets that are clearly linked to the assessment requirements
• provide feedback on formative assignments
• ensure that reasonable adjustments are put in place for the assessment, where required

You can read our best practice guide for further information on how to support your apprentice through the end-point assessment.

After the assessment

If your apprentice successfully completes their apprenticeship and passes their assessment, they’ll be awarded with a certificate. The EPAO will request the certificate on your behalf.

Consider how you can celebrate your apprentice’s success, for example, you could nominate them for a national apprenticeship award.

If your apprentice fails one of more components of the end-point assessment they will be offered the opportunity to take a resit or retake.

Following the failure of the assessment, you and your training provider should consider a supportive action plan that responds to the feedback provided by the assessor.

A resit cannot be taken with the intention to increase the grade if the apprentice passes the assessment.

Please talk to your Trainer or to our Business Development Team if you have any questions or would like further information.