This apprenticeship has options. This document is currently showing the following option:
1.2
This document explains the requirements for end-point assessment (EPA) for the power industry substation fitter apprenticeship. End-point assessment organisations (EPAOs) must follow this when designing and delivering the EPA.
Power industry substation fitter apprentices, their employers and training providers should read this document.
This is a core and options apprenticeship. An apprentice must be trained and assessed against the core and one option. The options are:
A full-time power industry substation fitter 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 should be completed within an EPA period lasting typically 6 months.
The apprentice must complete their training and meet the gateway requirements before starting their EPA. The EPA will assess occupational competence.
An approved EPAO must conduct the EPA for this apprenticeship. Employers must work with the training provider to select an approved EPAO from the apprenticeship providers and assessment register (APAR).
The EPA incorporates a trade test practical assessment with questions and a trade test technical interview that are conducted by the apprentice's employer. These assessments are established practice in the power industry. They are used to support the regulatory requirements set by the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
This EPA has 4 assessment methods.
The grades available for each assessment method are below.
Assessment method 1 - multiple-choice test:
Assessment method 2 - interview underpinned by a portfolio of evidence:
Assessment method 3 - trade test practical assessment with questions:
Assessment method 4 - trade test technical interview:
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 6 months.
The EPAO should confirm the gateway requirements have been met and start the EPA as quickly as possible.
The apprentice’s employer must be content that the apprentice is occupationally competent. That is, they are deemed to be working at or above the level set out in the apprenticeship standard and ready to undertake the EPA. The employer may take advice from the apprentice's training provider, but the employer must make the decision. The apprentice will then enter the gateway.
The apprentice must meet the gateway requirements before starting their EPA.
They must:
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 the interview underpinned by a portfolio of evidence. It will typically contain 10 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 interview. The independent assessor should review the portfolio of evidence to prepare questions for the interview. They are not required to provide feedback after this review.
Gateway evidence must be submitted to the EPAO, along with any organisation specific policies and procedures requested by the EPAO.
The assessment methods must be delivered in the following order:
The multiple-choice test and interview underpinned by a portfolio of evidence must be completed and passed before the trade test practical assessment with questions and trade test technical interview.
The rationale for the order of the assessment methods is to help ensure that apprentices complete the EPA.
In the multiple-choice 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.
This assessment method is being used because:
The multiple-choice 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 can be computer or paper based.
The test will consist of 40 multiple-choice questions.
Multiple-choice questions must have four options, including one correct answer.
The apprentice must be given at least 2 weeks’ notice of the date and time of the test.
The apprentice must have 60 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.
The test must be marked by an independent assessor or marker employed by the EPAO. They must follow a marking scheme produced by the EPAO. Marking by computer is allowed where question types support this.
A correct answer gets 1 mark.
Any incorrect or missing answers get zero marks.
The EPAO is responsible for overseeing the marking of the test.
The apprentice must take the test in a suitably controlled and invigilated environment that is a quiet room, free from distractions and influence. The EPAO must check the venue is suitable.
The test can take place remotely if the appropriate technology and systems are in place to prevent malpractice.
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 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. 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 test:
The EPAO must ensure that the EPA materials are subject to quality assurance procedures including standardisation and moderation.
In the interview, an independent assessor asks the apprentice questions. 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.
This assessment method is being used because:
The interview 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 interview.
The purpose of the independent assessor's questions to assess the apprentice's competence against the following themes:
Core
Option 1. Substation fitter - distribution maintenance
Option 2. Substation fitter - transmission maintenance
Option 3. Substation fitter - construction
The EPAO must give an apprentice 2 weeks' notice of the interview.
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 interview.
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 interview must last for 75 minutes for Option 1. Substation fitter - distribution maintenance, 60 minutes for Option 2. Substation fitter - transmission maintenance, and 75 minutes for Option 3. Substation fitter - construction. The independent assessor can increase the time of the interview by up to 10%. This time is to allow the apprentice to respond to a question if necessary.
The apprentice may choose to end any assessment method early. The apprentice must be confident they have demonstrated competence against the assessment requirements for the assessment method. The independent assessor or EPAO must ensure the apprentice is fully aware of all assessment requirements. The independent assessor or EPAO cannot suggest or choose to end any assessment methods early (unless in an emergency). The EPAO is responsible for ensuring the apprentice understands the implications of ending an assessment early if they choose to do so. The independent assessor may suggest the assessment continues. The independent assessor must document the apprentice’s request to end any assessment early.
The independent assessor must ask at least 7 questions for Option 1. Substation fitter - distribution maintenance, 5 questions for Option 2. Substation fitter - transmission maintenance, and 7 questions for Option 3. Substation fitter - construction. 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 provisional grading decision.
The independent assessor must keep accurate records of the assessment. They must record:
The interview must take place in a suitable venue selected by the EPAO for example, the EPAO’s or employer’s premises.
The interview 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 interview 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 that they do this 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 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 interview underpinned by a portfolio of evidence:
The EPAO must ensure that the EPA materials are subject to quality assurance procedures including standardisation and moderation.
In the trade test practical assessment with questions, an employer assessor observes the apprentice completing a task or series of tasks set by their employer and asks questions. The employer must use a simulated environment for the trade test practical with questions. The assessment environment must closely relate to the apprentice’s natural working environment. It gives the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this assessment method. The trade test practical assessment with questions must be quality assured by an EPAO.
This assessment method is being used because:
The trade test practical assessment 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 employer assessor must conduct and assess the trade test practical assessment with questions.
The employer assessor must observe apprentices in line with the employer’s trade test assessment specification including the ratio of employer assessors to apprentices. They must be as unobtrusive as possible.
The employer must give an apprentice 2 weeks' notice of the . trade test practical assessment with questions
The trade test practical assessment with questions must last 30 - 37.5 hours.
The trade test practical assessment with questions may take place in parts but must be completed over no more than 21 working days. A working day is typically considered to be 7.5 hours long. The reason for this split is the apprentice will need to complete several tasks, which may require work on different apparatus.
The employer must manage invigilation of the apprentice during the assessment, to maintain security of the EPA, in line with their malpractice policy. This includes breaks and moving between locations.
The employer assessor must explain to the apprentice the format and timescales of the trade test practical assessment with questions tasks before they start. This does not count towards the assessment time.
The employer assessor must observe the apprentice conducting the following during the practical assessment:
Core
Option 1. Substation fitter - distribution maintenance
Option 2. Substation fitter - transmission maintenance
Option 3. Substation fitter - construction
These activities provide the apprentice with the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this assessment method.
The employer assessor must ask questions. The purpose of the questions is to assess the apprentice's level of competence against the grading descriptors.
Questioning can occur both during and after the practical assessment. The time for questioning is included in the overall assessment time. The employer assessor must ask at least 9 questions. To remain as unobtrusive as possible, the employer assessor should ask questions during natural stops between tasks and after completion of work rather than disrupting the apprentice’s flow. The employer assessor must use the questions from the employer’s question bank or create their own questions in line with the EPAO’s training.
The employer assessor can ask follow-up questions to clarify answers given by the apprentice. These questions are in addition to the above set number of questions for the trade test practical assessment with questions.
The apprentice may choose to end the assessment method early. The apprentice must be confident they have demonstrated competence against the assessment requirements for the assessment method. The employer assessor must ensure the apprentice is fully aware of all assessment requirements. The employer assessor cannot suggest or choose to end the assessment methods early, unless in an emergency. The employer assessor is responsible for ensuring the apprentice understands the implications of ending an assessment early if they choose to do so. The employer assessor may suggest the assessment continues. The employer assessor must document the apprentice’s request to end the assessment early.
The employer assessor must make the provisional grading decision. The employer assessor must assess the trade test practical assessment and responses to questions holistically when deciding the provisional grade.
The employer assessor must keep accurate records of the assessment. They must record:
The trade test practical assessment with questions must take place in a simulated environment selected by the employer. The simulated environment must relate to the apprentice’s natural work environment. Equipment and resources needed for the trade test practical assessment with questions must be provided by the employer.
The employer must develop a purpose-built assessment specification and question bank. The employer must maintain the security and confidentiality of EPA materials. 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 employer must ensure that questions are refined and developed to a high standard.
The assessment specification must state that if an apprentice fails a task or tasks in the trade test practical with questions, the apprentice must re-sit or re-take the assessment method in full and not just re-sit or re-take a failed task or tasks. The employer must ensure that the apprentice has a different set of tasks and questions in the case of re-sits and retakes, to minimise predictability.
The employer must produce the following materials to support the trade test practical assessment with questions:
The employer must ensure that the EPA materials are subject to quality assurance procedures including standardisation and moderation.
In the trade test technical interview, an employer assessor asks the apprentice questions. It gives the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this assessment method. The trade test technical interview must be quality assured by an EPAO.
This assessment method is being used because:
The trade test technical interview must be structured to give the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this assessment method to the highest available grade.
An employer assessor must conduct and assess the trade test technical interview.
The purpose of the employer assessor's questions is to assess the apprentice's competence against the following themes:
Core
Option 1. Substation fitter - distribution maintenance
Option 2. Substation fitter - transmission maintenance
Option 3. Substation fitter - construction
The employer must give an apprentice 2 weeks' notice of the trade test technical interview.
The trade test technical interview must last for at least 75 minutes.
The employer assessor must ask at least 10 questions. The employer assessor must use the questions from their employer’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 apprentice may choose to end the assessment method early. The apprentice must be confident they have demonstrated competence against the assessment requirements for the assessment method. The employer assessor must ensure the apprentice is fully aware of all assessment requirements. The employer assessor cannot suggest or choose to end the assessment methods early, unless in an emergency. The employer assessor is responsible for ensuring the apprentice understands the implications of ending an assessment early if they choose to do so. The employer assessor may suggest the assessment continues. The employer assessor must document the apprentice’s request to end the assessment early.
The employer assessor must make the provisional grading decision.
The employer assessor must keep accurate records of the assessment. They must record:
The trade test technical interview must take place in a suitable venue selected by the employer.
The trade test technical interview can be conducted by video conferencing. The employer must have processes in place to verify the identity of the apprentice and ensure the apprentice is not being aided.
The trade test technical interview should take place in a quiet room, free from distractions and influence.
The employer must develop a purpose-built assessment specification and question bank. The employer must maintain the security and confidentiality of EPA materials. 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 employer must ensure that questions are refined and developed to a high standard.
The employer must ensure that the apprentice has a different set of questions in the case of re-sits or re-takes.
The employer must produce the following materials to support the trade test technical interview:
The employer must ensure that the EPA materials are subject to quality assurance procedures including standardisation and moderation by the EPAO.
Performance in the EPA determines the apprenticeship grade of:
An independent assessor or marker must individually grade the multiple-choice test in line with this EPA plan. Marking by computer is also allowed.
An independent assessor must provisionally grade the interview underpinned by a portfolio of evidence in line with this EPA plan.
An employer assessor must provisionally grade the trade test practical assessment with questions and trade test technical interview in line with this EPA plan. They must provide the provisional grades to the EPAO.
The EPAO must combine the four 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 distinction, the apprentice must achieve a distinction in the interview underpinned by a portfolio of evidence and the trade test practical assessment with questions, and a pass in the multiple-choice test and trade test technical interview.
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 assessment method or more, 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 the EPAO should agree the timescale for a re-sit or re-take. A re-sit is typically taken within 4 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 6 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 if pass they need to re-sit or re-take one or more assessment methods, 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.
Special considerations
The EPAO must have special consideration arrangements for the EPA.
This should include:
Special considerations must maintain the validity, reliability and integrity of the EPA as outlined in this EPA plan.
Internal quality assurance refers to the strategies, policies and procedures that an EPAO must have in place to ensure valid, consistent and reliable EPA decisions.
EPAOs for this EPA must adhere to the requirements within the roles and responsibilities table.
They must also appoint independent assessors who:
The must also confirm employers appoint employer assessors who:
Affordability of the EPA will be aided by using at least some of the following:
This apprenticeship aligns with:
| Version | Change detail | Earliest start date | Latest start date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.2 | End-point assessment plan revised. | 28/10/2024 | Not set |
| 1.1 | Occupational standard and end-point assessment plan revised. | 15/05/2024 | 27/10/2024 |
| 1.0 | retired | 30/11/2023 | 14/05/2024 |
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