CPA Bulletin

www.cpa.uk.net CPA Bulletin > May 2024 25 SKILLS & TECHNICAL: 2 occupation now determined and from which the end point assessment (EPA) is being devised. The existing apprenticeships for Plant Operatives, Plant Mechanics, Hire Controllers and Lifting Technicians are under revision as part of the renewal cycle, however there are recent changes to the assessment process from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) that may affect the work of most of the working groups. An apprenticeship consists of two core components; the learning period with the employer and led by the training provider and then the end point assessment. It is this that determines whether the apprentice has attained, after several years of learning, all of the required skills, knowledge and behaviours and who requires no further training. To ensure that this is the case, the assessment process needs to be both comprehensive and thorough as well as being achievable, pragmatic and cost effective and is a balance that can challenge the working groups to ensure that all those requirements are met. For all of the listed apprenticeships except Hire Controller, the EPA traditionally consists of a three well-understood methodologies: • a professional interview which is supported by a portfolio of workplace evidence; • the undertaking of a range of practical activities - either in the workplace or at the training provider’s premises; • a set of multi-choice questions that allows an effective method of checking a range of knowledge. For 2024 onwards however, IfATE have decreed that only a maximum of two assessment methods are allowed in a bid, they say, to reduce the burden on the apprentice and further minimise costs and timescales of the assessment. For the working groups, this has a big impact upon their current revision process and, they believe, makes the assessment process longer and far more onerous in that, for example, the knowledge questions would need to be absorbed into both the interview and practical activities, extending the time and resources required to complete the EPA. IfATE have indicated that whereas previously, all elements of the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to be assessed, the guidance now indicates that partial assessment via a sampling approach should be taken instead. However, the working groups believe that this could lead to inconsistencies across the various EPA organisations. Each of the affected working groups is looking into the impact of these changes and in some cases, may make an appeal with IfATE to maintain the three assessment methods for our apprenticeships based on the safety critical nature of the roles and sector. Highquality print and designat affordable prices...