Prepare apprentices for assessment to futureproof your workforce – here’s how AIM can help
Helping to prepare apprentices for their end-point assessment (EPA) is not only an investment in increasing their chances of success, but it also demonstrates your commitment to their development and further strengthens your reputation as an employer who invests in future talent.
Sponsors of this year’s Derbyshire & Nottinghamshire Apprenticeship Awards, AIM Qualifications and Assessment Group (AIM), is an End-Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO) based in Derby who can support you through this process. They work with hundreds of employers from the region to provide independent EPAs for over 30 apprenticeship occupational standards. Their expertise in the Digital, Sales, Marketing & Procurement, Creative & Design, and Business & Administration sectors, and unwavering support throughout the whole apprenticeship process, makes them an outstanding choice for any organisation looking to employ, or has already recruited an apprentice, and is now looking for an EPAO to test their apprentices’ skills and knowledge.
Debbie Tuisawau is the EPA Director at AIM and she has some useful advice for employers on how you can prepare your apprentice for assessment.
“The EPA is a key element of the apprenticeship programme but doesn’t need to be feared by employer or apprentice. Overall, it’s simply an assessment of the knowledge, skills and behaviours that your apprentice would have gained through their apprenticeship and checks they are competent to work in the role”.
“We have a fantastic team of assessors at AIM who have experience and expertise in specialist apprenticeship roles; working in collaboration to involve employers in assessment design as well as testing and reviewing them before use to ensure they are fit for purpose”.
Get familiar with the EPA process
Not all apprenticeships have the same assessment methods so it’s important to take the time to understand and familiarise yourself with the EPA process for your apprentice’s specific program. AIM can help you with this and have developed a series of comprehensive support guides for specific occupations explaining what the process involves for both apprentices and employers alike.
Working collaboratively with the training provider to develop a plan for EPA preparation is highly recommended. Consider applying mock assessments, sample portfolios, and assessment criteria to ensure your apprentice understands what is to be expected of them, so there are no surprises on the day. And then practice, practice, practice! Mock assessments or role-playing exercises can help your apprentice to fine-tune their presentation and communication skills.
“I found the mock guidance, assessment materials and sample knowledge test papers extremely helpful in knowing what to expect when taking the EPA and be able to prepare for it. My assessor made me feel at ease and was very clear with instructions on how the assessment would run” - Abbey McGrath, PR&CA Apprentice.
Empowering apprentices
A good employer is one who empowers their apprentice to take charge of their EPA preparation. This helps them adopt accountability and build confidence – all good traits to have in an organisation. Regularly checking in with your apprentice and integrating EPA preparation discussions into monthly reviews, for example, is one way of implementing this. Also, be prepared to allocate a set time during the working day for them to focus on building their portfolio, practice tasks, or attend workshops.
Debbie added, “remember, a successful EPA benefits both the apprentice and your business. By providing a supportive environment and clear direction, you can significantly increase their chances of flourishing in their chosen field”.
Find out more about AIM at www.aimgroup.org.uk