Manufacturing fenestration products such as windows, doors, shop fronts and walls.
This occupation is found in the manufacturing sector. Fenestration refers to the design, construction, or presence of openings in a building it can include but not limited to windows, doors, louvres, vents, wall panels, skylights, storefronts, curtain walls, and slope glazed systems. Fabrication companies make and supply fenestration products to domestic or commercial markets.
The broad purpose of this occupation is to manufacture fenestration products such as but not limited to window frames, door frames, conservatory roofing, roof lanterns, roof lights, secondary glazing frames and shop fronts. They usually specialise in a particular material – aluminium, timber, steel or UPVC and a range of products. They cut and assemble profiles. Depending on the product they may add ancillary items for example, fixings and fastening, handles, hinges, locks and louvers, along with weatherproofing for example, gaskets, seals, membranes and sealants. Regardless of the product or material, it involves working to a specification, in line with quality standards, health and safety and environmental considerations.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with the production or general manager whom they report to and depending on the size of the organisation customers (internal or external), other fabricators, delivery personnel, design office, internal stores and suppliers.
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for completing their own work, with minimal supervision, ensuring they meet set deadlines.
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 18 months. The EPA period is typically 2 months.
The overall grades available for this apprenticeship are:
When you pass the EPA, you will be awarded your apprenticeship certificate.
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:
Observation with question and answer session
You will be observed by an independent assessor completing your work. It will last at least 4.5 hours. They will ask you at least 3 questions in part 1 and 4 question in part 2.
Multiple-choice test
You will complete a multiple-choice test. It will be closed book, meaning you will not have access to any books or reference materials.
The test will have 30 multiple-choice questions. You will have 60 minutes to complete it.
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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