To make systems, products, tasks, jobs, organisations and work environments better for their intended users.
This occupation is found in the defence and security, transportation, manufacturing, energy, and healthcare sectors.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to make systems, products, tasks, jobs, organisations and work environments better for their intended users. The occupation is also referred to as Ergonomics and it is broadly accepted that the terms 'ergonomics' and 'human factors' can be used interchangeably. The role involves the application of scientific information about the capabilities of human beings to the design of equipment, working practices, organisations and working environments in order to make people’s jobs safer, more efficient and more productive. Human Factors Specialists are found in a broad range of occupational sectors. For example, they may contribute to the design of power plant control rooms in the energy sector in order to minimise the risk of human error. In the defence sector they might contribute to the design of a fast jet cockpit ensuring that the pilot can use all the information, control the systems and make optimal decisions under high pressure. In the transportation sector they may support the design of a railway carriage layout; ensuring the comfort and safe accommodation of passengers. In a manufacturing context, a Human Factors Specialist may be involved in the design of production line processes, including the definition of line workers’ tasks and the physical layout of the equipment. Similarly, in the healthcare sector a Human Factors Specialist may be involved in the design of human computer interfaces (HCI) on medical devices such as scanners and X-ray machines. Across all sectors the common aim is to ensure that users of a system or process can perform their tasks safely and effectively, often in demanding and stressful environments.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with End Users of systems (e.g. military personnel, pilots, plant operators, radiographers etc.) in order to understand their goals and performance objectives and accommodate features into the design to enable them to achieve these aims. They may also advise experts in specialist fields (such as safety) on the characteristics of Human Performance in given situations. They are also likely to interact with programme managers, customer representatives, suppliers, colleagues in other business functions (e.g. engineering, legal), researchers and academics, Government agencies and regulators. Their daily work is mainly office based with occasional laboratory or field based trials and offsite visits to industrial sites and offices.
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for leading human factors elements of projects or programmes to create optimum products or processes that meet the needs of the users and ensure the required operational performance. They will be responsible for the application of specialist methodologies, tools and techniques across the full lifecycle of the system (i.e. from initial concepts, through manufacture and in-service phases to disposal). They may work autonomously but are more likely to be part of wider multidisciplinary teams, typically reporting to project or programme leaders or to a head of human factors. They will typically have responsibility for the human factors team budget for each project. The size of the role is project dependent and may vary from providing a short period of expert consultancy to leading a team of human factors professionals on a large development project over a number of years..
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 36 months. The EPA period is typically 6 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:
For the human factors specialist, the qualification required is:
Completed and passed all credit carrying modules of the Masters degree in human factors apart from the final module which will form the EPA.
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 10000 words (with a 10% tolerance).
You will have 20 weeks to complete the project and submit the report 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 60 minutes. The independent assessor will ask at least 5 questions about the project and presentation.
Professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence
You will have a professional discussion with an independent assessor. It will last 60 minutes. They will ask you at least 8 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.
The EPAO will confirm where and when each assessment method will take place.
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.
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.
This apprenticeship aligns with Graduate Member for Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors (CIEHF)
Please contact the professional body for more details.
| Version | Change detail | Earliest start date | Latest start date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | Approved for delivery | 11/05/2023 | Not set |
Crown copyright © 2025. You may re-use this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. Visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence