HM Forces first response ground troops, providing peacekeeping duties and support/assistance to the civilian community as required and directed by HM Government.
This occupation is found in the public sector only and specifically within HM Forces (Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force). The HM Forces is a large employer. The role is utilised by the ground troops of all three services, who could find their workplace to be UK based or on foreign soil, dependent on HM Government direction.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to provide defence to the United Kingdom, incorporating peace keeping duties such as United Nations Peacekeeping in Cyprus, support/assistance to civilian tasks for example building Nightingale Hospitals during the COVID epidemic, disaster relief for example helping to shore up river banks during major flooding within the UK, and working abroad as directed by HM Government. The HM Forces Serviceperson will be part of the first response ground troops from the Royal Navy, Army or Royal Air Force, who will be delivered to their designated area by sea, land or air, dependent on the location and service represented. They will work individually and as a team, potentially at all hours, in all weathers and across all terrains, as is required to fulfil the requirements of the specified organisational objectives.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation typically interacts with colleagues and their line management chain from their relevant service (Royal Navy, Army, Royal Air Force). The HM Forces Serviceperson could be assigned to work within the wider HM Forces environment and may be required to take direction from line management of an alternative service or take direction from other nations or other government departments. This is dependent on the HM Forces Serviceperson's duties, tasks and locations.
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for ensuring that all they have been taught is applied, enabling instinctive actions and reactions in appropriate controlled and measured ways. For HM Forces Servicepersons, preparation is vital. They will carry out theoretical and practical training, which will include, but not exclusively, communication methods, enhanced first aid, safe weapons handling processes and navigation methods along with testing and maintenance of equipment to ensure operational preparedness. They are responsible for consistently working in a professional manner, both individually and as a team, continually honing the requisite skills in readiness for any eventuality they may be required to fulfil. They will become embedded into a professional culture and ethos where individuals understand / are aware of how their role supports both the team and aligns to the wider organisational taskings and priorities.
This is a summary of the key things that you – the apprentice and your employer need to know about your end-point assessment (EPA). You and your employer should read the EPA plan for the full details. It has information on assessment method requirements, roles and responsibilities, and re-sits and re-takes.
An EPA is an assessment at the end of your apprenticeship. It will assess you against the knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs) in the occupational standard. Your training will cover the KSBs. The EPA is your opportunity to show an independent assessor how well you can carry out the occupation you have been trained for.
Your employer will choose an end-point assessment organisation (EPAO) to deliver the EPA. Your employer and training provider should tell you what to expect and how to prepare for your EPA.
The length of the training for this apprenticeship is typically 12 months. The EPA period is typically 3 months.
The overall grades available for this apprenticeship are:
The EPA gateway is when the EPAO checks and confirms that you have met any requirements required before you start the EPA. You will only enter the gateway when your employer says you are ready.
The gateway requirements for your EPA are:
Practical assessment with questions
You will be observed by an independent assessor completing a set of tasks. It will last 1 hours. They will ask you at least 1 questions.
Interview underpinned by a portfolio of evidence
You will have an interview with an independent assessor. It will last at least 90 minutes. They will ask you at least 9 questions. The questions will be about certain aspects of your occupation. You can use it to help answer the questions.
You should speak to your employer if you have a query that relates to your job.
You should speak to your training provider if you have any questions about your training or EPA before it starts.
You should receive detailed information and support from the EPAO before the EPA starts. You should speak to them if you have any questions about your EPA once it has started.Reasonable adjustments
If you have a disability, a physical or mental health condition or other special considerations, you may be able to have a reasonable adjustment that takes this into account. You should speak to your employer, training provider and EPAO and ask them what support you can get. The EPAO will decide if an adjustment is appropriate.
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