End Point Assessor - Apprenticeship Operations/Departmental Manager

Reference: EPA/OPS/MAN

Overview of the independent end-point assessor role

Government has introduced a requirement that all apprenticeships contain an end-point assessment (EPA) which is a holistic assessment of the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviour (KSBs) that have been learnt throughout the apprenticeship. This is to make sure that apprentices meet the rigorous standard set by employers and are fully competent in the relevant occupation. Pearson must provide employers with the confidence that completing an apprenticeship means an individual is fully job-ready and that all apprentices, following the same standard, are assessed consistently, regardless of where they are undertaking their apprenticeship or who they are doing it with.

An independent EPA means that those making a decision on the competency of the apprentice have nothing to gain from the outcome of the assessment. To maintain independence within the scope of this EPA, an independent end-point assessor can only undertake end-point assessments of apprentices, with whom they have no conflict of interest. This means they must not have been involved in the on-programme training, assessment, or line management of such apprentices.

The end-point assessments will be conducted onsite, on dates agreed with employers and/or providers if appropriate. Independent end-point assessors (IEAs) will record and submit the EPA outcomes, with clear justifications for the grading decisions. EPA activities will be quality assured by Pearson quality assurance representatives.

IEAs will meet the occupational profile of the apprentices they are assessing and will be trained, standardised and approved to operate as IEAs. The IEAs will undertake EPAs in line with the associated apprenticeship assessment plan and the materials provided by Pearson. Please see the below Key Accountabilities and Person Specification sections for further details.

Key Accountabilities:

The IEA will:

• Take part in regular training and standardisation activities, associated with the role of IEA for this EPA

• Maintain and provide evidence of ongoing, relevant Continuous Professional Development (CPD)

• Assess the performance of candidates in accordance with published assessment and grading criteria and procedures, ensuring overall standards are maintained

• Follow the protocols set out in Pearson’s specifications, assessment materials and quality assurance protocols, relating to the EPAs

• Maintain service-level agreements with regards to responding to EPA planning, operational activities, reports and submissions of assessment outcomes

• Report all risks and issues encountered during the end-point assessment to Pearson, including any suspected malpractice/maladministration

• Ensure all EPA reports and assessment evidence are high quality and recorded accurately

• Support Pearson, if necessary, with any appeals from apprentices, regarding assessment decisions

• Raise any conflicts of interest, including in relation to the independence of assessment

• Ensure that any personal actions are completed, as required by Pearson

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of Pearson’s end-point assessment activities.

Person Specification

Occupational Profile : 1 An operations/departmental manager is someone who manages teams and/or projects, and achieving operational or departmental goals and objectives, as part of the delivery of the organisations strategy. They are accountable to a more senior manager or business owner. Working in the private, public or third sector and in all sizes of organisation, specific responsibilities and job titles will vary, but the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed will be the same. Key responsibilities may include creating and delivering operational plans, managing projects, leading and managing teams, managing change, financial and resource management, talent management, coaching and mentoring. Roles may include: Operations Manager, Regional Manager, Divisional Manager, Department Manager and specialist managers.

Background and Experience (essential):

• Evidence of assessing staff or learner competence, at the level or above of the EPA

• Hold or be working towards an assessor qualification (e.g. A1, TAQA etc)

• Experience of leading meetings/structured interviews/discussions

• Current experience of leadership and management within a range of types and sizes of organisation

• Evidence of CPD, in line with the EPA specialism

• Experience of complying with quality assurance/regulatory requirements

Profile drawn and adapted from Apprenticeship Standard for Operations/Departmental Manager, which was approved 1st June 2016, reference: ST0385. Usage under the terms of the Open Government Licence. Visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence

Background and Experience (desirable):

• To hold an appropriate relevant leadership and management qualification at a minimum of a Level 6 (or equivalent)

• Registered as a Chartered Manager Full member of the Chartered Management Institute and/or the Institute of Leadership & Management

• To hold, or be working towards an internal quality assurance qualification

• Experience of working in more than one industry/sector

• Experience of making grading judgements

• Current DBS

• Knowledge of prevent & safeguarding

Skills & Knowledge (Essential)

• Excellent written, verbal, IT and interpersonal skills, including the ability to effectively respond to conflicts

• Flexibility to understand and respond to the individual needs and circumstances of employers/apprentices

Sufficient and relevant technical knowledge of:

• Relevant legal and regulatory frameworks

• A range of products and services offered within the sector

• Systems, tools and processes used within relevant role

• Excellent understanding of the associated apprenticeship standard, assessment plan, specification, assessment instruments and recording tools

• Ability to assess, free from bias

• Ability to assess and report risks

• Ability to meet deadlines

Other requirements

Any applicant undertaking this role will be expected to:

• Have personal IT equipment capable of running Pearson required software

• Have a suitable broadband connection, Microphone, Headphones and a webcam

• Have a personal and secure email account

• Have a postal address in the United Kingdom or Republic of Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey Isle of Man

• Have the right to work in the UK

• Allow additional time for travel, when making EPA arrangements

Once you have submitted your application, please send your CV, CPD and relevant certificates to epadelivery@pearson.com.

About Pearson

Pearson is the world's leading learning company, with 35,000 employees in more than 70 countries working to help people of all ages to make measurable progress in their lives through learning. We put the apprentice at the centre of everything we do, because wherever learning flourishes, so do people. Find out more about how we can help you and your learners at qualifications.pearson.com