Tag Archives: Highfield Qualifications

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

More ‘Introducing Highfield’ events for CIEH centres

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Highfield Qualifications is holding a final series of ‘Introducing…’ events for CIEH centres looking to make the switch.

From this April, the CIEH will no longer be offering regulated qualifications and will be withdrawing its status as an awarding organisation. As a result, Highfield has been holding briefings for those centres that want to continue delivering regulated qualifications and are exploring ways of doing this.

Each breakfast briefing lasts two hours and will provide further information on the benefits of being an approved Highfield centre, our policies and values, as well as guidance on our registration process.

Dates and locations are:

  • Thursday 6 April 2017 – Cheadle
  • Wednesday 12 April 2017 – Maidstone
  • Thursday 13 April 2017 – Taunton
  • Thursday 25 April 2017 – Belfast

What you can expect on the day:

  • details on how to switch from CIEH to Highfield, plus our support during that process and afterwards
  • overview of the qualifications we offer, and are planning to offer
  • information on our FREE centre registration for CIEH customers
  • guidance on moving qualifications over to the Register of Qualifications Framework (RQF)
  • examples of associated training materials from Highfield International
  • the opportunity to network with training providers

And of course, you’ll get the chance to meet the Highfield team and some of our subject matter experts face-to-face, ask questions and give us your views on what you want to see from a responsive awarding organisation in terms of service, qualifications and products.

To book yourself and/or your colleagues on to this event, please visit here .

Alternatively, you can secure your place by calling us on 0845 226 0350/01302 363277 or by emailing events@highfieldabc.net . Spaces will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

For the latest news, updates and events follow Highfield on Facebook , Twitter , LinkedIn and Instagram

We hope that you can join us for what is sure to be an extremely informative event.

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