Senior procurement and supply chain professional

This document explains the requirements for end-point assessment (EPA) for the senior procurement and supply chain professional apprenticeship. End-point assessment organisations (EPAOs) must follow this when designing and delivering the EPA.

Senior procurement and supply chain professional apprentices, their employers and training providers should read this document.

A full-time senior procurement and supply chain professional apprentice typically spends 30 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 will assess occupational competence.

Apprentices must complete a Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) Level 6 Professional Diploma in Procurement and Supply as part of their apprenticeship. Before starting EPA, an apprentice must meet the gateway requirements.

For this apprenticeship they are:

• the employer must be content that the apprentice is working at or above the occupational standard apprentices must have achieved certain units of the qualification mandated in the senior procurement and supply professional occupational standard.
• the apprentice must have completed the CIPS Level 5 Advanced Diploma in Procurement and Supply before entering on the programme.
• the qualification units required by the gateway are:
• CIPS L6 – 6 units towards the CIPS L6 Diploma in Procurement and Supply- Units L6M1 L6M2 L6M3 and 3 optional units.

The EPAO must confirm that all required gateway evidence has been provided and accepted as meeting the gateway requirements. CIPS must provide the certificates to the training provider as confirmation to the EPAO that the apprentice has achieved the required pre-requisites for gateway entry. The EPAO is responsible for confirming full gateway eligibility. Once this has been confirmed, the EPA period starts.

An approved EPAO must conduct the EPA for this apprenticeship. Employers must select an approved EPAO from the register of end-point assessment organisations (RoEPAO).

This EPA has 3 assessment methods.

The grades available for each assessment method are below.

Assessment method 1 - presentation with questions:

• fail

• pass

• distinction

Assessment method 2 - professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence.:

• fail

• pass

• distinction

Assessment method 3 - case study test:

• fail

• pass

• merit

• distinction

The result from each assessment method is combined to decide the overall apprenticeship grade. The following grades are available for the apprenticeship:

• fail

• pass

• distinction

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 4 months.

The EPAO should confirm the gateway requirements have been met and the EPA should start as quickly as possible.

The apprentice’s employer must confirm that they think their apprentice is working at or above the occupational standard. The apprentice will then enter the gateway. The employer may take advice from the apprentice's training provider(s), but the employer must make the decision.

The apprentice must meet the gateway requirements before starting their EPA.

These are:

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

• completed units L6M1 Strategic Ethical Leadership; L6M2 Global Commercial Strategy; L6M3 Global Strategic Supply Chain Management and 3 optional units from the 5 elective units towards CIPS L6 Professional diploma in procurement and supply

• for the professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence. the apprentice must submit a portfolio of evidence

Unit L6M4 Future Strategic Challenges for the Profession, of the CIPS L6 Professional Diploma in Procurement and Supply is mapped to the apprenticeship EPA case study assessment method and corresponding KSBs.

An apprentice may not therefore take unit L6M4 from the CIPS L6 Professional diploma in procurement and supply before the gateway. In the unlikely event that an apprentice may have achieved this unit prior to starting the apprenticeship, this would exclude them from undertaking the apprenticeship.

Any person who believes they have prior learning is advised to check their eligibility for the apprenticeship via guidance found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apprenticeships-recognition-of-priorlearning/apprenticeships-initial-assessment-to-recognise-prior-learning

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 18 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:

• workplace documentation and records, for example:
• workplace policies and procedures
• witness statements
• annotated photographs
• video clips (maximum total duration 5 minutes); the apprentice must be in view and identifiable

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 discussion. The independent assessor should review the portfolio of evidence to prepare questions for the discussion. They are not required to provide feedback after this review.

The apprentice must submit any policies and procedures as requested by the EPAO.

The EPA period starts when the EPAO confirms all gateway requirements have been met.

The expectation is they will do this as quickly as possible.

The assessment methods must be delivered in the following order:• presentation with questions• professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence• case study testThe result of one assessment method does not need to be known before starting the next.

The rationale is to ensure that the mandated CIPS qualification is completed at the same time as the end-point assessment.

Overview

In the presentation with questions, the apprentice delivers a presentation to an independent assessor on a set subject. The independent assessor must ask questions after the presentation. It gives the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this assessment method.

Rationale

This assessment method is being used because:

• Setting the presentation title post-gateway ensures the reliability and validity of the EPA, and the period between the apprentice’s submission and the actual assessment, allows the independent assessor to prepare appropriate questions pertinent to the presentation.
• The presentation will allow the apprentice to demonstrate their knowledge, skills and behaviours relating to the KSBs assigned to this assessment method, allowing the independent assessor to draw these out, and to assess performance against the distinction criteria. Questions and answers following the presentation must seek to assess KSBs not evidenced through the presentation and/or depth of understanding to assess performance against the distinction criteria.

Delivery

The presentation 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 presentation with questions.

The presentation must cover:

• present on a strategic project or programme that you have been leading. please define your personal role in the project, your approach to the wider project including any challenges you came across, and the outcomes you delivered.
• present on a change project that you have led. this could be a process or departmental change project. outline the motivations for change, the process involved and the outcomes that you delivered from the project.
• present on a tendering project you have led. define the stages you went through from planning and market engagement, through tendering to contract implementation. outline any market specific approaches you implemented.
• present on a project that you have led which had a distinct social value element. how did you integrate social value into the project and what was the resulting benefit?

The purpose of the presentation is to allow the apprentice to demonstrate their competence against grading descriptors.

The apprentice must submit any presentation materials to the EPAO by the end of week 4 of the EPA period. The apprentice must notify the EPAO, at that point, of any technical requirements for the presentation.

During the presentation, the apprentice must have access to:

• audio-visual presentation equipment
• flip chart and writing and drawing materials
• computer

The independent assessor must have at least 2 weeks to review any presentation materials, before the presentation is delivered by the apprentice, to allow them to prepare questions. The EPAO must give the apprentice at least 1 weeks' notice of the presentation assessment.

The independent assessor must ask questions after the presentation.

The purpose of the questions is to assess the level of competence against the grading descriptors.

The presentation and questions must last 60 minutes. This will typically include a presentation of 20 minutes and questioning lasting 40 minutes. The independent assessor must use the full time available for questioning. The independent assessor can increase the total time of the presentation and questioning by up to 10%. This time is to allow the apprentice to complete their last point or respond to a question if necessary.

The independent assessor must ask at least 6 questions. They must use the questions from the EPAO’s question bank or create their own questions in line with the EPAO’s training. Follow up questions are allowed where clarification is required.

The independent assessor must make the grading decision. The independent assessor must assess the presentation and answers to questions holistically when deciding the grade.

The independent assessor must keep accurate records of the assessment. They must record:

• the KSBs demonstrated
• the apprentice’s answers to questions
• the KSBs demonstrated in answers to questions
• the grade achieved

Assessment location

The presentation with questions must take place in a suitable venue selected by the EPAO for example, the EPAO’s or employer’s premises. The presentation with questions should take place in a quiet room, free from distractions and influence.

The presentation with questions can be conducted by video conferencing. The EPAO must have processes in place to verify the identity of the apprentice and ensure the apprentice is not being aided.

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 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 presentation with questions:

• independent assessor EPA materials which include:
  • training materials
  • administration materials
  • moderation and standardisation materials
  • guidance materials
  • grading guidance
  • question bank
• EPA guidance for the apprentice and the employer

The EPAO must ensure that the EPA materials are subject to quality assurance procedures including standardisation and moderation.

Overview

In the professional discussion, an independent assessor and apprentice have a formal two-way conversation. It gives the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this assessment method.

The apprentice can refer to and illustrate their answers with evidence from their portfolio of evidence.

Rationale

This assessment method is being used because:

• it allows the apprentice to be assessed against KSBs that may not naturally occur as part of a case study or presentation
• it allows the apprentice to show case their depth of understanding relating to the KSBs
• it allows the independent assessor to consider the context and sector that the apprentice operates within, giving flexibility to ensure that all the KSBs can be assessed appropriately
• it is cost effective, and it allows consideration of the potential need to conduct the EPA remotely.

Delivery

The professional discussion 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 professional discussion.

The purpose is to assess the apprentice’s competence against the following themes:

• Infrastructure and governance
• Financial management
• Procurement and supply chain outcomes
• Leadership and management of procurement and the supply chain
• Sustainability
• Development of the team and individual

The EPAO must give an apprentice 2 weeks' notice of the professional discussion.

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 professional discussion.

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 professional discussion must last for 90 minutes. The independent assessor can increase the time of the professional discussion by up to 10%. This time is to allow the apprentice to respond to a question if necessary.

The independent assessor must ask at least 8 questions. The independent assessor must use the questions from the EPAO’s question bank.

The independent assessor must make the grading decision.

The independent assessor must keep accurate records of the assessment. They must record:

• the apprentice’s answers to questions
• the KSBs demonstrated in answers to questions
• the grade achieved 

Assessment location

The professional discussion must take place in a suitable venue selected by the EPAO for example, the EPAO’s or employer’s premises.

The professional discussion can be conducted by video conferencing. The EPAO must have processes in place to verify the identity of the apprentice and ensure the apprentice is not being aided.

The professional discussion should take place in a quiet room, free from distractions and influence.

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 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 professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence.:

• independent assessor assessment materials which include:
  • training materials
  • administration materials
  • moderation and standardisation materials
  • guidance materials
  • grading guidance
  • question bank
• EPA guidance for the apprentice and the employer

The EPAO must ensure that the EPA materials are subject to quality assurance procedures including standardisation and moderation.

Overview

In the case study 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.

The case study can be delivered at Study Centres, Exam Venues (internal invigilation) or via Remote Invigilation (external invigilation) at home or at a place of work. The subject of the case study is different for each exam period, and currently there are four exam periods throughout a 12 month period. The case study involves the apprentice being presented with two essay style questions with each covering one learning objective (Learning objectives 1.0 and 2.0).

Details of these are as follows:

Learning objective 1.0 Understand the changing needs and requirements for procurement and supply 1.1 Assess what the future strategic procurement and supply function will look like 1.2 Contrast the future skills and expectations of strategic procurement and supply leaders 1.3 Contrast the influence of emerging business and markets on the procurement and supply function

Learning objective 2.0 Understand the future challenges for the procurement and supply profession 2.1 Evaluate the emerging role and influence of innovation and technology on the profession 2.2 Assess the changing boundaries and shape of the profession 2.3 Evaluate future challenges for the profession

Long answer questions (LAQs) are open-ended questions. LAQs are used to assess depth of knowledge in a test. LAQs need an extended written response or an evaluative answer.

Rationale

This assessment method is being used because:

• It provides an opportunity to test the apprentice’s ability to diagnose procurement and supply situations and identify appropriate outcomes. This is part of the final exam for the CIPS L6 Professional Diploma in Procurement and Supply.
• It complements the other two assessment methods. In the professional discussion, the apprentice must relate their answers to their real-work experience, and the presentation with questions involves fact-based knowledge and skills recall. This third method of assessment provides for assurance of competency by testing the apprentice’s reactions to detailed and hypothetical circumstances.
• It is delivered as an online case study test exam, recognising this is the senior level to the occupation, and employers’ own experiences that apprentice senior procurement and supply professionals will be suited to answering questions about case scenarios.

Delivery

The case study 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 must be computer based.

The apprentice must be given at least 2 weeks’ notice of the date and time of the test.

The test must consist of 2 long answer questions. Long answer questions need a written response. Responses to LAQs may be multiple lines, an approximate word count (such as 100 words), multiple paragraphs. This should be an extended writing opportunity for higher marked questions.

Test administration

The apprentice must have 120 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.

Marking

The case study test must be marked by an independent assessor or marker employed by CIPS. They must follow a marking scheme produced by CIPS. Marking by computer is allowed where question type supports this.

CIPS have a marking scheme for this assessment method as follows:

• Fail (the individual doesn’t meet the pass criteria) – 24 marks or less
• Pass - individual has achieved 25-29 marks
• Merit – individual has achieved 30-37 marks
• Distinction – individual has achieved 38 or more marks

CIPS is responsible for overseeing the marking of the case study test. CIPS must ensure standardisation and the moderation of the case study test. CIPS must notify the EPAO of the results of the case study test.

Any incorrect or missing answers get zero marks.

Assessment location

The apprentice must take the test in a suitably controlled and invigilated environment that is a quiet room, free from distractions and influence. CIPS 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

CIPS must develop a purpose-built assessment specification and question bank. It is recommended this is done in consultation with employers of this occupation. CIPS 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. CIPS 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.  

CIPS must ensure that the apprentice has a different set of questions in the case of re-sits or re-takes.

CIPS must produce the following materials to support the test:

• independent assessor assessment materials which include:
  • training materials
  • administration materials
  • moderation and standardisation materials
  • guidance materials
  • grading guidance
  • test specification
  • sample test and mark schemes
  • live tests and mark schemes
  • question bank
• EPA guidance for the apprentice and the employer

CIPS must ensure that the EPA materials are subject to quality assurance procedures including standardisation and moderation.

Performance in the EPA determines the apprenticeship grade of:

• fail

• pass

• distinction

An independent assessor must individually grade the: presentation with questions, professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence. and case study test 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 or more assessment methods, 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 or a merit in the case study test. To achieve an overall EPA distinction, the apprentice must achieve a distinction in both 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 or more assessment methods, (including the CIPS case study test), 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 EPAO agree the timescale for a re-sit or re-take. A re-sit is typically taken within 2 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 3 months of the EPA outcome notification.

Failed assessment methods must be re-sat or re-taken within a 6-month period from the EPA outcome notification, otherwise the entire EPA will need to be re-sat or re-taken in full.

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:

• how an apprentice qualifies for reasonable adjustment
• what reasonable adjustments may be made

Adjustments must maintain the validity, reliability and integrity of the EPA as outlined in this EPA plan.

Internal quality assurance refers to how the EPAO ensures valid, consistent and reliable EPA decisions. The EPAO must adhere to the requirements within the roles and responsibilities section:

The EPAO must also:

• have quality assurance systems and procedures that ensure fair, reliable and consistent EPA regardless of employer, place, time or independent assessor
• appoint independent assessors who are competent to deliver the EPA and who:
  • have recent relevant experience of the occupation or sector to at least occupational level 6 gained in the last 3 years or significant experience of the occupation or sector
• operate induction training for anyone involved in the delivery or assessment of the EPA
• provide training for independent assessors in good assessment practice, operating the assessment tools and making grading decisions
• provide ongoing training for markers and invigilators
• provide standardisation activity for this apprenticeship standard for all independent assessors:
  • before they conduct an EPA for the first time
  • if the EPA is updated
  • periodically as appropriate (a minimum of annually)
• conduct effective moderation of EPA decisions and grades
• conduct appeals where required, according to the EPAO’s appeals procedure, reviewing and making final decisions on EPA decisions and grades
• have no direct connection with the apprentice, their employer or training provider.

Affordability of the EPA will be aided by using at least some of the following:

• completing applicable assessment methods online (for example computer-based assessment)

• utilising digital remote platforms to conduct applicable assessment methods

• using the employer’s premises

• conducting assessment methods on the same day

This apprenticeship aligns with:

Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply for Membership

The apprenticeship will either wholly or partially satisfy the requirements for registration at this level.

The requirements for Membership are:

• successful completion of the CIPS Level 4 Diploma or the Level 4 Commercial Procurement and Supply apprenticeship
• successful completion of the CIPS Level 5 Advanced Diploma
• successful completion of the CIPS Level 6 Professional Diploma or the Level 6 Senior Procurement and Supply Chain Professional apprenticeship.