This apprenticeship is approved for delivery, however all new starts are currently paused, while we work to resolve some delivery-related issues. This pause on new starts does not affect any existing learners (those currently on-programme or taking end-point assessment).
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V1.1
This document explains the requirements for end-point assessment (EPA) for the Junior visual effects - VFX artist or assistant technical director - ATD apprenticeship. End-point assessment organisations (EPAOs) must follow this when designing and delivering the EPA.
Junior visual effects - VFX artist or assistant technical director - ATD apprentices, their employers and training providers should read this document.
An approved EPAO must conduct the EPA for this apprenticeship. Employers must select an approved EPAO from the Education and Skills Funding Agency’s Register of end-point assessment organisations (RoEPAO).
A full-time apprentice typically spends 18 months on-programme (this means in training before the gateway) working towards competence as a junior visual effects - vfx artist or assistant technical director - atd. All apprentices must spend at least 12 months on-programme. All apprentices must complete the required amount of off-the-job training specified by the apprenticeship funding rules.
This EPA has 2 assessment methods.
The grades available for each assessment method are:
Assessment method 1 - project with presentation and questioning:
Assessment method 2 - professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio:
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 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 as a occupational standard. They 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 apprentices must meet the gateway requirements before starting their EPA.
These are:
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 15 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 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 apprentices 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 can be delivered in any order.
The result of one assessment method does not need to be known before starting the next.
A project involves the apprentice completing a significant and defined piece of work that has a real business application and benefit. The project must meet the needs of the employer’s business and be relevant to the apprentice’s occupation and apprenticeship.
This assessment method has 2 components:
project with a project output
presentation with questions and answers
Together, these components give the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this assessment method. They are assessed by an independent assessor.
The project-based approach is the most valid method as it allows the demonstration of professional competence. Producing a product in response to a project brief reflects normal practice in the workplace.
The apprentice must complete a project based on any of the following:
To ensure the project allows the apprentice to meet the KSBs mapped to this assessment method to the highest available grade, the EPAO must sign-off the project’s title and scope at the gateway to confirm it is suitable. The EPAO must refer to the grading descriptors to ensure that projects are pitched appropriately.
The project output must be in the form of a product and presentation.
The apprentice must start the project after the gateway. The employer should ensure the apprentice has the time and resources, within the project period, to plan and complete their project.
The apprentice may work as part of a team to complete the project, which could include internal colleagues or technical experts. The apprentice must complete their product and presentation unaided and they must be reflective of their own role and contribution. The apprentice and their employer must confirm this when the product and any presentation materials are submitted.
The product must include at least:
2D and 3D VFX
The completed project output will be a product - a VFX shot and breakdown (electronic asset). The apprentice will be given a brief with tracking information and a piece of live action footage without LiDAR (Light Detection and Range) or lens information.
As a minimum all VFX projects must include:
The project must map, in an appendix, how it evidences the relevant KSBs for this assessment method. When the project is submitted, the employer and the apprentice should verify the submitted work is that of the apprentice.
The presentation will focus on the project and will cover the following:
ATD
The completed project output will be a product - the development of a small scale tool for VFX use and a development road map. The apprentice will be given a brief for a show and the VFX requirements for this.
As a minimum all VFX projects must include:
The project must map, in an appendix, how it evidences the relevant KSBs for this assessment method. When the project is submitted, the employer and the apprentice should verify the submitted work is that of the apprentice.
The presentation will focus on the project and will cover the following:
The apprentice must complete prepare and deliver the product to the EPAO by the end of week 2 of the EPA period. The apprentice must produce and include a mapping, showing how the product evidences the KSBs mapped to this assessment method.
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.
The apprentice must prepare and deliver a presentation to an independent assessor. The independent assessor must ask the apprentice questions after the presentation about their project, product and presentation.
The presentation should cover:
The presentation with questions must last 50 minutes. This will typically include a presentation of 20 minutes and questioning lasting 30 minutes. The independent assessor can increase the total time 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 5 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 purpose of the independent assessor's questions is:
The apprentice must submit their presentation slides and any supporting materials to the EPAO at the same time as the product - by the end of week 2 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:
The independent assessor must have at least 1 weeks to review the product, presentation slides and any supporting materials, to allow them to prepare questions.
The apprentice must be given at least 2 days’ notice of the presentation with questions.
The independent assessor must make the grading decision. They must assess the project components holistically when deciding the grade.
The independent assessor must keep accurate records of the assessment. They must record:
The presentation with questions must take place in a suitable venue selected by the EPAO for example, the EPAO’s or employer’s premises. It 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.
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.
EPAO must produce the following materials to support the project:
The EPAO must ensure that the EPA materials are subject to quality assurance procedures including standardisation and moderation.
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.
This assessment method is being used because it provides a synoptic assessment of knowledge, skills and behaviours. It also helps to assess their in-depth understanding of their work and covers aspects of the occupation that are difficult to observe and take place in restricted and confidential settings. This is a consistent assessment that applies across work settings in the industry. It is reflective of industry best practice for reporting orally on projects and justifying decisions taken. It also replicates the approach taken to reviewing candidate performance used in industry.
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 of the independent assessor's questions will be to authenticate evidence, experience and competence. The portfolio will be reviewed by the Independent Assessor to enable them to select appropriate questions to ask during the professional discussion.
The EPAO must give an apprentice 10 days' notice of the professional discussion.
The professional discussion must last for 60 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 10 questions. The independent assessor 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 keep accurate records of the assessment. They must record:
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.
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:
The EPAO 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:
An independent assessor must individually grade the: project with presentation and questioning and professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio 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. To achieve an overall EPA ‘merit,’ the apprentice must achieve a pass in the project with presentation and supplementary questioning and a distinction in the professional discussion underpinned by portfolio or a pass in the professional discussion underpinned by portfolio and a distinction in the project with presentation and supplementary questioning. 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.
An apprentice who fails one or more assessment method(s) 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.
An 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 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 4 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.
An 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 how the EPAO ensures valid, consistent and reliable EPA decisions. The EPAO must adhere to the requirements within the roles and responsibilities section and:
Affordability of the EPA will be aided by using at least some of the following:
Professional body recognition is not relevant to this occupational apprenticeship.
| Version | Change detail | Earliest start date | Latest start date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 | End point assessment plan revised | 13/05/2024 | Not set |
| 1.0 | Approved for delivery | 20/06/2023 | 12/05/2024 |
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