Dairy technologist

ST0393, dairy technologist level 5

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.

What is an end-point assessment and why it happens

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 36 months. The EPA period is typically 6 months.

The overall grades available for this apprenticeship are:

• fail

• pass

• merit

• distinction

When you pass the EPA, you will be awarded your apprenticeship certificate.

EPA gateway

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:

• achieved English and mathematics qualifications in line with the apprenticeship funding rules

• for the project report and presentation with questions, the project's title and scope must be agreed with the EPAO and a project summary submitted

• for the professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence, you must submit a portfolio of evidence

Assessment methods

Project with report

You will complete a project and write a report. You will be asked to complete a project. The title and scope must be agreed with the EPAO at the gateway. The report should be a maximum of 5000 words (with a 10% tolerance).

You will have 16 weeks to complete the project and submit the business case to the EPAO.

You need to prepare and give a presentation to an independent assessor. Your presentation slides and any supporting materials should be submitted at the same time as the project output. The presentation with questions will last at least 50 minutes. The independent assessor will ask at least 6 questions about the project and presentation. The EPAO will confirm where and when each assessment method will take place.

Professional discussion

You will have a professional professional discussion with an independent assessor. It will last 90 minutes. They will ask you at least 10 questions. The questions will be about certain aspects of your occupation. You need to compile a portfolio of evidence before the EPA gateway. You can use it to help answer the questions.

Long written test

You will complete a test requiring long written answers. It will be closed book, meaning you will not have access to any books or reference materials.

The test will have 15 long response written questions. You will have 120 minutes to complete it.

Who to contact for help or more information

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.

Professional recognition

This apprenticeship aligns with The Science Council for Registered Scientist (RSci). Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship and upon receipt of the apprenticeship certificate, individuals are eligible to apply for RSci through a shortened application route. Individuals also need to be a member of a professional body that is licensed by the Science Council to be awarded this status. Further information is on the Science Council’s website.

Please contact the professional body for more details.

This apprenticeship aligns with The Engineering Council for Engineering Technician (EngTech). The apprenticeship is designed to prepare successful apprentices to satisfy the educational and experience requirements either partially or in full. The awarding of professional status is under the remit of the professional engineering institutions and is subject to Engineering Council regulations. For more information, please refer directly to the professional institutions’ guidance or UK-SPEC.

Please contact the professional body for more details.