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V1.4
This document explains the requirements for end-point assessment (EPA) for the carpentry and joinery apprenticeship. End-point assessment organisations (EPAOs) must follow this when designing and delivering the EPA.
Carpentry and joinery apprentices, their employers and training providers should read this document.
This is a core and options apprenticeship. An apprentice must be trained and assessed against the core and one option. The options are:
A full-time carpentry and joinery apprentice typically spends 24 months on-programme. The apprentice must spend at least 12 months on-programme and complete the required amount of off-the-job training in line with the apprenticeship funding rules.
The EPA should be completed within an EPA period lasting typically 3 months.
The apprentice must complete their training and meet the gateway requirements before starting their EPA. The EPA will assess occupational competence.
An approved EPAO must conduct the EPA for this apprenticeship. Employers must work with the training provider to select an approved EPAO from the apprenticeship providers and assessment register (APAR).
This EPA has 3 assessment methods.
The grades available for each assessment method are below.
Assessment method 1 - multiple-choice test:
Assessment method 2 - practical assessment with questions:
Assessment method 3 - interview underpinned by a portfolio of evidence:
The result from each assessment method is combined to decide the overall apprenticeship grade. The following grades are available for the apprenticeship:
The EPA is taken in the EPA period. The EPA period starts when the EPAO confirms the gateway requirements have been met and is typically 3 months.
The EPAO should confirm the gateway requirements have been met and start the EPA as quickly as possible.
The apprentice’s employer must be content that the apprentice has attained sufficient KSBs to complete the apprenticeship. The employer may take advice from the apprentice's training provider, but the employer must make the decision. The apprentice will then enter the gateway.
The apprentice must meet the gateway requirements before starting their EPA.
They must:
Portfolio of evidence requirements:
The apprentice must compile a portfolio of evidence during the on-programme period of the apprenticeship. It should only contain evidence related to the KSBs that will be assessed by this assessment method. It will typically contain 10 discrete pieces of evidence. Evidence must be mapped against the KSBs. Evidence may be used to demonstrate more than one KSB; a qualitative as opposed to quantitative approach is suggested.
Evidence sources may include:
This is not a definitive list; other evidence sources can be included.
The portfolio of evidence should not include reflective accounts or any methods of self-assessment. Any employer contributions should focus on direct observation of performance (for example, witness statements) rather than opinions. The evidence provided should be valid and attributable to the apprentice; the portfolio of evidence should contain a statement from the employer and apprentice confirming this.
The EPAO should not assess the portfolio of evidence directly as it underpins the interview . The independent assessor should review the portfolio of evidence to prepare questions for the interview. They are not required to provide feedback after this review. The apprentice must submit the gateway evidence to their EPAO, including any organisation specific policies and procedures requested by the EPAO.
Simulated environments
It is understood that some skills in this apprenticeship are used less often but are still required for overall occupational competence. Some apprentices may not get sufficient opportunity to apply the full range of required skills in the workplace during the on-programme period of the apprenticeship. Therefore, a flexibility has been included in this EPA plan, allowing certain skills-based evidence to be captured in a simulated environment, for example, at the employer's or training provider's premises.
Allowing evidence from a simulated environment ensures at there is a fair opportunity for apprentices to gather skills-based evidence for the portfolio of evidence. This is where opportunities to collect evidence in the workplace are not available.
Any simulated evidence must reflect the apprentice’s usual work and be fully transferable to the workplace. The portfolio must include a statement from the employer or training provider confirming that the evidence provided from a simulated environment is entirely attributable to the apprentice.
For this apprenticeship, the apprentice must collect evidence from the workplace. However, if authentic workplace opportunities are not available for all the numbered elements or products from the skills outlined below, some of the numbered elements or products may be captured in a simulated environment, in line with the numbers noted below for each skill. Every effort should be made for the apprentice to access workplace evidence for all elements or products in the skills below before this flexibility is applied.
The skills in line for this flexibility are:
Site carpenter S14:
Site carpenter: Apply first fix techniques and practices for: 1. structural carcassing, 2. straight timber or metal partition walls, 3. floor joists 4. floor joist coverings, 5. straight flights of stairs.
The apprentice is required to provide workplace evidence for a minimum of any 4 numbered elements from the above list. The remaining numbered element may be provided via simulated evidence.
Site carpenter S17:
Site carpenter: Apply site second fix techniques and practices for: 1. service encasement, 2. cladding 3. wall and floor units and fitments, 4. handrails and spindles to straight flights of stairs, 5. internal and external doors, 6. skirting boards and architrave, 7. window boards.
The apprentice is required to provide workplace evidence for a minimum of any 5 numbered elements from the above list. The remaining 2 numbered elements may be provided via simulated evidence.
Architectural Joiner S28:
Architectural joiner: Apply manufacture and assembly techniques for second fix products: 1. timber doors, 2. wall and floor units, 3. timber mouldings, 4. staircase spindles and balustrades.
The apprentice is required to provide workplace evidence for a minimum of any 3 numbered products from the above list. The remaining numbered product may be provided via simulated evidence.
Simulated environments must:
• afford the apprentice the opportunity to capture sufficient evidence to underpin the grading descriptors for the specific skill being targeted
• have a specification of defined tasks for the apprentice to complete (or an equivalent structure or format)
• replicate normal working conditions and the naturally occurring activities the apprentice would have likely undertaken in the workplace, as far as practicable (including time pressures, considerations, resources, materials, tools, information, interactions, communication media, lighting, noise and hazards they would reasonably encounter in employer or customer premises)
• allow each apprentice to demonstrate their competence on an individual basis
The apprentice must submit the gateway evidence to their EPAO, including any organisation specific policies and procedures requested by the EPAO.
The assessment methods can be delivered in any order.
The result of one assessment method does not need to be known before starting the next.
In the multiple-choice test, the apprentice answers questions in a controlled and invigilated environment. It gives the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge mapped to this assessment method.
This assessment method is being used because:
The multiple-choice test must be structured to give the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge mapped to this assessment method to the highest available grade.
The test can be computer or paper based.
The test will consist of 40 multiple-choice questions.
Multiple-choice questions must have four options, including one correct answer.
The apprentice must be given at least 14 days’ notice of the date and time of the test.
The apprentice must have 60 minutes to complete the test.
The test is closed book which means that the apprentice cannot refer to reference books or materials whilst taking the test.
The test must be taken in the presence of an invigilator who is the responsibility of the EPAO. The EPAO must have an invigilation policy setting out how the test must be conducted. It must state the ratio of apprentices to invigilators for the setting and allow the test to take place in a secure way.
The EPAO must verify the apprentice’s identity and ensure invigilation of the apprentice for example, with 360-degree cameras and screen sharing facilities.
The EPAO is responsible for the security of the test including the arrangements for on-line testing. The EPAO must ensure that their security arrangements maintain the validity and reliability of the test.
The test must be marked by an independent assessor or marker employed by the EPAO. They must follow a marking scheme produced by the EPAO. Marking by computer is allowed where question types support this.
A correct answer gets 1 mark.
Any incorrect or missing answers get zero marks.
The EPAO is responsible for overseeing the marking of the test. The EPAO must ensure standardisation and moderation of tests with written answers.
The apprentice must take the test in a suitably controlled and invigilated environment that is a quiet room, free from distractions and influence. The EPAO must check the venue is suitable.
The test could take place remotely if the appropriate technology and systems are in place to prevent malpractice.
Question and resource development
The EPAO must develop a purpose-built assessment specification and question bank. It is recommended this is done in consultation with employers of this occupation. The EPAO
should maintain the security and confidentiality of EPA materials when consulting with employers. The assessment specification and question bank must be reviewed at least once a year to ensure they remain fit-for-purpose.
The assessment specification must be relevant to the occupation and demonstrate how to assess the KSBs mapped to this assessment method. The EPAO must ensure that questions are refined and developed to a high standard. The questions must be unpredictable. A question bank of sufficient size will support this.
The EPAO must ensure that the apprentice has a different set of questions in the case of re-sits or re-takes.
The EPAO must produce the following materials to support the test:
The EPAO must ensure that the EPA materials are subject to quality assurance procedures including standardisation and moderation.
In a practical assessment with questions, an independent assessor observes the apprentice completing a task or series of tasks set by the EPAO. The EPAO decides where it takes place. The assessment environment must closely relate to the apprentice’s natural working environment. It gives the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this assessment method.
This assessment method is being used because:
The practical assessment with questions must be structured to give the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this assessment method to the highest available grade.
An independent assessor must conduct and assess the practical assessment with questions.
The independent assessor must only observe up to four apprentices at a time to ensure quality and rigour. They must be as unobtrusive as possible. The EPAO must ensure that an apprentice cannot gain advantage from seeing what the other apprentices being assessed are doing or by hearing answers to questions.
The EPAO must give an apprentice 14 days' notice of the . practical assessment with questions
The practical assessment with questions must take 12 hours.
The independent assessor can increase the time of the practical assessment with questions by up to 10%. This time is to allow the apprentice to complete a task or respond to a question if necessary.
The practical assessment with questions may take place in parts but must be completed over 2 working day. A working day is typically considered to be 7.5 hours long. The reason for this split is there is insufficient time to complete the practical task in one working day.
The EPAO must manage invigilation of the apprentice during the assessment, to maintain security of the EPA, in line with their malpractice policy. This includes breaks and moving between locations.
The independent assessor must explain to the apprentice the format and timescales of the practical assessment with questions before it starts. This does not count towards the assessment time.
The independent assessor must observe the following during the practical assessment:
Site Carpentry
Construction of a straight gable roof containing traditional cut rafters and ceiling joists, roof trusses and installation of a hinged upward opening loft hatch.
The roof construction must contain the following:
General
Traditional cut roof
Trusses
Typically, 60 minutes should be allocated within the EPA total time to interpret and extract relevant information from drawings, specifications and work instructions. This time will also enable estimation of resources and initial setting and marking out.
The roof construction must be compliant with building regulations. To reduce cost, cheaper materials such as CLS (Canadian Lumber Standard) can be used for roof members and trusses, concession may be given for roof timber sizes providing the apprentice can identify the correct size of timber required from provided sizing tables via assessor questioning.
To minimise predictability, the EPAO should produce alternative versions of the assessment. The alternative versions must vary but be of equal complexity and take a competent site carpenter 12 hours to complete. A range of different scenarios may be incorporated into the alternative versions; for example, differential eaves overhang, roof pitch, length and width, rafter centre specifications, truss specifications and centres, and bracing requirements, loft hatch positions, dimensions and latch types, lateral restraint and wall plate strap positioning.
The independant assessor or additional person can assist with lifting or moving roof trusses as requested by the apprentice.
Preparation for the site carpentry practical assessment:
The roof structure will be carried out on a prefabricated roofing rig, which will allow the apprentice to carry out the roof and install the hatch without the need for access equipment. The rig may be separated by a party wall to allow for the installation of traditional rafters and trusses on the same roof structure. Roof trusses will be pre-fabricated in preparation for the EPA, however, other, all timber roof components must be cut by the apprentice.
Where the EPA is administered at the employers or training providers premises, the EPAO may liaise with the employer or training provider to provide prefabricated roof truss and roofing-rig resource, set up and equipment requirement information in preparation for the practical assessment. Where this is the case, the EPAO must put measures in place to prevent malpractice and reduce predictability.
The EPAO is ultimately responsible for the preparation and quality of the resources and equipment to ensure fair assessment.
Specification tolerances
Traditional roof:
Joints:
Trussed roof:
Loft hatch:
Architectural joinery
Production of a soft wood window frame with hinged storm proof or flush window casement. The minimum opening size of the window is to comply with means of escape size requirement.
The window production must include the following:
Typically, 60 minutes should be allocated within the EPA total time to interpret and extract relevant information from drawings, specifications and work instructions. This time will also enable estimation of resources and initial setting and marking out.
The window frame with opening must be compliant with building regulations, any manufacture instructions (To reduce cost, cheaper materials such as CLS (Canadian Lumber Standard) can be used for the construction of the window and casement.
Where the EPA is administered at the employers or training providers premises, the EPAO may liaise with the employer or training provider to provide resource, set up and equipment requirement information in preparation for the practical assessment. Where this is the case, the EPAO must put measures in place to prevent malpractice and reduce predictability. The EPAO is ultimately responsible for the preparation and quality of the resources and equipment to ensure fair assessment.
To minimise predictability, the EPAO should produce alternative versions of the assessment. The alternative versions must vary but be of equal complexity and take a competent architectural joiner 12 hours to complete. A range of different scenarios may be incorporated into the alternative versions; for example, casement type, frame and casement, opening sizes, glazing rebate requirements, hinge methods and directions, woodworking joint specifications and ironmongery requirements.
Specification Tolerances
Frame:
Casement:
Joints:
General:
KSBs observed, and answers to questions must be documented by the independent assessor. The independent assessor will make all grading decisions in line with specification tolerances and grading descriptors.
These activities provide the apprentice with the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this assessment method.
The independent assessor must ask questions.
The purpose of the questions is to explore aspects of the KSBs not demonstrated in the practical assessment and show depth of understanding.
Questioning must occur during the practical assessment. The time for questioning is included in the overall assessment time.
The independent assessor must ask at least 5 questions during the practical assessment. To remain as unobtrusive as possible, the independent assessor should ask questions during natural breaks in work rather than disrupting the apprentice’s flow. The independent assessor must use the questions from their EPAO’s question bank or create their own questions in line with the EPAO’s training.
The independent assessor can ask follow-up questions to clarify answers given by the apprentice. These questions are in addition to the above set number of questions for the practical assessment with questions.
The apprentice may choose to end the assessment method early. The apprentice must be confident they have demonstrated competence against the assessment requirements for the assessment method. The independent assessor or EPAO must ensure the apprentice is fully aware of all assessment requirements. The independent assessor or EPAO cannot suggest or choose to end the assessment methods early, unless in an emergency. The EPAO is responsible for ensuring the apprentice understands the implications of ending an assessment early if they choose to do so. The independent assessor may suggest the assessment continues. The independent assessor must document the apprentice’s request to end the assessment early.
The independent assessor must make the grading decision. The independent assessor must assess the practical assessment and responses to questions holistically when deciding the grade.
The independent assessor must keep accurate records of the assessment. They must record:
The practical assessment with questions must take place in a simulated environment selected by the EPAO for example, the EPAO’s or employer’s premises. The simulated environment must relate to the apprentice’s natural work environment. Equipment and resources needed for the practical assessment with questions must be provided by the EPAO, who can liaise with the employer to provide these.
Questioning that occurs after the practical assessment with questions should take place in a quiet room, free from distractions and influence.
The EPAO must develop a purpose-built assessment specification and question bank. It is recommended this is done in consultation with employers of this occupation. The EPAO should maintain the security and confidentiality of EPA materials when consulting with employers. The assessment specification and question bank must be reviewed at least once a year to ensure they remain fit-for-purpose.
The assessment specification must be relevant to the occupation and demonstrate how to assess the KSBs mapped to this assessment method. The EPAO must ensure that questions are refined and developed to a high standard. The questions must be unpredictable. A question bank of sufficient size will support this.
The EPAO must ensure that the apprentice has a different set of tasks and questions in the case of re-sits and retakes, to minimise predictability.
The EPAO must produce the following materials to support the practical assessment with questions:
The EPAO must ensure that the EPA materials are subject to quality assurance procedures including standardisation and moderation.
In the interview, an independent assessor asks the apprentice questions. It gives the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this assessment method.
This assessment method is being used because:
it allows the apprentice to be assessed against KSBs which may not naturally occur during the practical assessment
it is underpinned by a portfolio of evidence, enabling the apprentice to demonstrate the application of skills and behaviours as well as knowledge
it allows for testing of responses where there are a number of potential answers that could not be tested through a multiple-choice test
it is cost-effective.
reduces the assessment burden on the apprentice
The interview must be structured to give the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this assessment method to the highest available grade.
An independent assessor must conduct and assess the interview.
The purpose of the independent assessor’s questions will be to assess the apprentice’s competence against the following themes:
The purpose of the independent assessor's questions will be to assess the following themes:
The EPAO must give an apprentice 14 days' notice of the interview.
The independent assessor must have at least 2 weeks to review the supporting documentation.
The apprentice must have access to their portfolio of evidence during the interview.
The apprentice can refer to and illustrate their answers with evidence from their portfolio of evidence however, the portfolio of evidence is not directly assessed.
The interview must last for 60 minutes. The independent assessor can increase the time of the interview by up to 10%. This time is to allow the apprentice to respond to a question if necessary.
The independent assessor must explain to the apprentice the format and timescales of the interview before it starts. This does not count towards the assessment time.
The independent assessor must ask at least 10 questions. The independent assessor must use the questions from the EPAO’s question bank. Follow-up questions are allowed where clarification is required.
The apprentice may choose to end the assessment method early. The apprentice must be confident they have demonstrated competence against the assessment requirements for the assessment method. The independent assessor or EPAO must ensure the apprentice is fully aware of all assessment requirements. The independent assessor or EPAO cannot suggest or choose to end the assessment methods early, unless in an emergency. The EPAO is responsible for ensuring the apprentice understands the implications of ending an assessment early if they choose to do so. The independent assessor may suggest the assessment continues. The independent assessor must document the apprentice’s request to end the assessment early.
The independent assessor must make the grading decision.
The independent assessor must keep accurate records of the assessment. They must record:
The interview must take place in a suitable venue selected by the EPAO for example, the EPAO’s or employer’s premises.
The interview should take place in a quiet room, free from distractions and influence.
The EPAO must develop a purpose-built assessment specification and question bank. It is recommended this is done in consultation with employers of this occupation. The EPAO must maintain the security and confidentiality of EPA materials when consulting with employers. The assessment specification and question bank must be reviewed at least once a year to ensure they remain fit-for-purpose.
The assessment specification must be relevant to the occupation and demonstrate how to assess the KSBs mapped to this assessment method. The EPAO must ensure that questions are refined and developed to a high standard. The questions must be unpredictable. A question bank of sufficient size will support this.
The EPAO must ensure that the apprentice has a different set of questions in the case of re-sits or re-takes.
The EPAO must produce the following materials to support the interview underpinned by a portfolio of evidence:
The EPAO must ensure that the EPA materials are subject to quality assurance procedures including standardisation and moderation.
Performance in the EPA determines the overall grade of:
An independent assessor must individually grade the practical assessment with questions and interview underpinned by a portfolio of evidence in line with this EPA plan.
The EPAO must combine the individual assessment method grades to determine the overall EPA grade.
If the apprentice fails one assessment method or more, they will be awarded an overall fail.
To achieve an overall pass, the apprentice must achieve at least a pass in all the assessment methods. To achieve an overall EPA merit, the apprentice must gain a distinction in the practical assessment and one other of the assessment methods and a pass in the other. To achieve an overall EPA distinction, the apprentice must gain a distinction in all the assessment methods.
Grades from individual assessment methods must be combined in the following way to determine the grade of the EPA overall.
If the apprentice fails one assessment method or more, they can take a re-sit or a re-take at their employer’s discretion. The apprentice’s employer needs to agree that a re-sit or re-take is appropriate. A re-sit does not need further learning, whereas a re-take does. The apprentice should have a supportive action plan to prepare for a re-sit or a re-take.
The employer and the EPAO should agree the timescale for a re-sit or re-take. A re-sit is typically taken within 3 months of the EPA outcome notification. The timescale for a re-take is dependent on how much re-training is required and is typically taken within 6 months of the EPA outcome notification.
Failed assessment methods will typically be re-sat or re-taken within a 6-month period from the EPA outcome notification.
Re-sits and re-takes are not offered to an apprentice wishing to move from pass to a higher grade.
The apprentice will get a maximum EPA grade of pass for a re-sit or re-take, unless the EPAO determines there are exceptional circumstances.
The EPAO must have reasonable adjustments arrangements for the EPA.
This should include:
Adjustments must maintain the validity, reliability and integrity of the EPA as outlined in this EPA plan.
Internal quality assurance refers to the strategies, policies and procedures that an EPAO must have in place to ensure valid, consistent and reliable EPA decisions.
EPAOs for this EPA must adhere to the requirements within the roles and responsibilities table.
They must also appoint independent assessors who:
Affordability of the EPA will be aided by using at least some of the following:
This apprenticeship is not aligned to professional recognition.
| Version | Change detail | Earliest start date | Latest start date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4 | End-point assessment plan revised. The apprentice can end the assessment early wording added to interview and practical assessments. | 13/01/2025 | Not set |
| 1.3 | Standard, end-point assessment plan and funding band revised | 19/08/2023 | 12/01/2025 |
| 1.2 | Standard and end-point assessment plan revised | 27/01/2023 | 18/08/2023 |
| 1.1 | Standard and End-point assessment plan revised. Funding band revised 30.3.2021. (First published 18.09.2020). Funding band was signed off by the Minister in the December but then clashed with the introduction of a 3 month notice period. This came in 29th March. It was accepted that those starting between October and March would still follow the new documents but being funding at 12k. | 29/03/2021 | 26/01/2023 |
| 1.0 | Retired. The funding band for this standard has been reviewed and remains at £12000 (2018-09-18). | 27/02/2018 | 17/09/2020 |
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