Independent End Point Assessment

All apprentices must take an independent assessment at the end of their training to confirm that they have achieved occupational competence. This is a holistic and robust assessment of the knowledge, skills and behaviours that have been learnt throughout an apprenticeship standard.

It is separate to any qualification or other assessment that the apprentices may undertake during the on-programme stage of their apprenticeship. At the end of the apprenticeship, the apprentice will pass through a ‘gateway’, which is the formal process in which the employer confirms that the apprentice is ready to undertake the end point assessment. In most cases the assessment is graded at least one level above a pass (e.g. pass and distinction).

The end point assessment is managed by an Independent Assessment Organisaion (IAO) who must be registered on the register of end point assessment organisations. The assessment itself is conducted by an assessor who must be independent from the training provided by the employer and provider. The requirements for the assessment of occupational competence are set out in an end point assessment plan.

Assessment Plans are available from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfA&TE) website. Apprentices will not be able to achieve an apprenticeship without satisfying all the requirements of the end point assessment. Further information and guidance for employers looking for an independent assessment organisation is available on the Education and Skills Funding Agency website.