Tag Archives: End-point assessment

New EPA qualification from Highfield

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A new qualification has been launched that will support those who plan to assess apprentices undertaking end-point assessments (EPA).

The Highfield Level 3 Award in Undertaking End-Point Assessment (RQF) will provide specific knowledge and skills to those who already have sector competence within the areas of approved apprenticeship standards, but would like to gain a more specialised understanding of EPA processes and practices.

Covering assessment methods that are used in the majority of assessment plans for approved apprenticeships, it will support assessors in understanding the different types of EPA and the role of the EPA assessor.

The qualification has been designed to meet the needs of employers, training providers and assessors while embracing the wider changes happening to apprenticeships, and will ensure assessors have a qualification that is fit for purpose and covers the intricacies of the new EPA process.

It can be delivered by training centres that are recognised as Highfield approved centres, and sits on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) , which is regulated by Ofqual .

Fees per registration per candidate are:

  • 0-99 £25
  • 100+ £20

For more information, go to the qualification page or the FAQs .

If you’re already a Highfield approved centre and interested in delivering this qualification, contact your account manager directly.

If not, give us a call on 0845 2260350/01302 363277 or drop us a line on sales@highfieldabc.net

Highfield Assessment receives ‘5 stars’ from FE Week

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We had some great news this morning thanks to FE Week, who rated Highfield Assessment ‘5 stars’ in their investigation into apprenticeship assessment organisations (AAOs).

The weekly magazine, which is read throughout the further education sector, conducted mystery shopper tests on a number of AAOs and their end-point assessment (EPA) offers, with Highfield receiving full marks!

You can read the article for yourselves (pages 10-11) at http://feweek.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/FE209-Digi.pdf?mc_cid=3974ee5b08&mc_eid=8f4553ca0a

To find out more about how Highfield Assessment can help you, go to https://www.highfieldassessment.com/

Apprenticeship EPA approval for hospitality and adult care

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Highfield has been approved to deliver end-point assessment (EPA) for five more apprenticeship standards.

The five standards are:

  • Adult Care Worker
  • Lead Adult Care Worker
  • Commis Chef
  • Hospitality Team Member
  • Hospitality Supervisor

The training sector is currently undergoing some of its biggest changes in over 30 years, and will see new apprenticeship standards – developed by groups of employers known as ‘trailblazers’ – being assessed by EPA instead of continuous assessment.

This means individual apprentices will have their work and competence assessed towards the end of their learning against criteria established by employers.

There will also be the introduction of the apprenticeship levy from 1 May 2017, with larger employers paying into a central fund that must be used for apprenticeship training, while smaller employers will see 90 percent of their costs covered by the government.

For more details, go to Highfield Assessment .

Support for retail employers on apprenticeship levy and assessment

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Employers looking to make the most of the impending changes to apprenticeships this spring will have help from one of the UK’s leading awarding organisations.

Highfield Qualifications has been approved by the government to provide end-point assessment (EPA) for the new Retailer Level 2 apprenticeship standard, which is currently being introduced throughout the sector, and will be offering retail employers a full range of support services to make the most of their potential apprenticeship levy payments.

The changes are some of the biggest ever to training in the UK, and will see new apprenticeship standards like the Retailer Level 2 use EPA instead of continuous assessment, meaning individual apprentices will have their work and competence assessed towards the end of their learning against criteria established by retail employers.

There will also be the introduction of the apprenticeship levy from 1 May 2017, with larger employers paying into a central fund that must be used for apprenticeship training, while smaller employers will see 90 percent of their costs covered by the government.

Chris Sprenger, Highfield MD, said, ‘We understand the forthcoming changes have caused concern to many businesses in a retail sector already facing the prospect of minimum wage rises and an uncertain landscape after Brexit.

However, with our recognition by government as an apprentice assessment organisation (AAO), Highfield is in a position to provide specific assessment services for those businesses already taking on Retailer Level 2 apprentices. We can also offer consultancy and advice to any organisation still trying understand the changes and make the most of them –  whether they are looking to take on apprentices for the first time, wanting to have their existing in-house training recognised, or searching for services and resources to ensure they claim their full share of funding entitlement’.

He added, ‘Apprenticeships are great for business and can provide a welcome boost to staff development and productivity when it is most needed, but it’s vital that organisations understand from day one how to make sure the changes are of benefit to them and their employees’.

Highfield’s apprenticeship services are being offered through its Highfield Assessment brand.

For more information, go to www.highfieldassessment.com

You can also contact Highfield at info@highfieldabc.net or by calling 0845 2260350.

Video updates are available here (Retailer standard)  and here (AAO approval).

Regular social media updates are available on Twitter and Facebook .

ENDS
Notes to editors:

  1. Highfield Qualifications has been approved by the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) as an apprenticeship assessment organisation (AAO) for the provision of end-point assessment for the Retailer Level 2 apprenticeship standard. Highfield’s apprenticeship services are delivered through its Highfield Assessment brand.
  2. Highfield Qualifications is one of the UK’s top five awarding organisations (AO) and winner of the Queen’s Award for Enterprise 2016, offering over 250 qualifications covering a wide variety of industries including retail, health and social care, rail, food safety, security, catering and hospitality, and logistics.
  3. Highfield Qualifications is part of the Highfield Group, which includes:
  • Highfield Qualifications – awarding organisation (AO)
  • Highfield International – learning resources publisher
  • Highfield elearning – developer of e-learning, e-assessment and learner management systems
  • Highfield Assessment – apprenticeship assessment organisation (AAO)
  • Highfield MEA – international operations, based in Dubai