Completing Your Apprenticeship

Gateway

Once you’ve completed your on-programme training you will go through Gateway. This is where we agree with you and your line manager that you have acquired the knowledge, skills and behaviours set out in the Apprenticeship standard and are ready to undertake end point assessment.

End Point Assessment (EPA)

EPA is the process at the end of your programme for you to demonstrate to a third-party assessor that you have acquired knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSB’s) throughout your training set out in the Apprenticeship standard.

The EPA will be carried out by an End Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO). The EPAO is an impartial organisation which takes responsibility for the final assessment of the apprentice against the requirements of their apprenticeship.

Your Assessment

During EPA, you will complete the following:

You will complete a work based project or practical case study that contains actual activity carried out in your role, such as supporting a real event or pitch. It could also be a scenario-based event designed by the Independent Assessment Organisation.

It is carried out during the End Point Assessment period and will cover:

  • A commission from a client or organisational brief, so an apprentice can demonstrate how they have responded to the brief.
  • The use of software packages to create word processing and spreadsheet documents.
  • Contribution to reports, event project plans and written presentations for clients.
  • The use of a range of event technology platforms and in-house bespoke software systems and databases.
  • How conclusions are drawn to choose venues that may be suited to a particular event based on clients’ needs.
  • Each aspect of event logistics: the venue, delegate management, transportation, accommodation, catering
  • Liaison with event suppliers to combine and contribute to delivering an event
  • How the onsite team at an event collaborated to ensure that the client’s and all the delegates needs are met.

Your portfolio contains evidence from actual work activity that is built up progressively through the apprenticeship and will illustrate the application of the knowledge, skills and behaviours within the Standard synoptically.

It will complement the Project, focusing mainly on those areas of knowledge, skill and behaviours that are not evidenced in the Project. It should demonstrate the application of knowledge and competence in the work environment.

Your professional discussion is a structured interview between you and two assessors consisting of:

  • An assessor from the Independent Assessment Organisation
  • A representative from the apprentice’s employer (which may be their direct line manager)

The Professional Discussion covers the knowledge, skills and behaviours in the standard including any knowledge, skills and behaviours that have not been covered in the Project or Portfolio. It is expected to last at least 45 minutes, however should not last any longer than an hour.

The purpose of the Professional Discussion is to:

  • Explore evidence for areas of the Standard that are best assessed verbally, particularly the skills and
  • behaviours
  • Discuss the Project, the results delivered and the approach taken
  • Clarify any questions that the panel have about the evidence submitted in the Project and Portfolio
  • Address any gaps in the Standard not covered by the Project or the Portfolio
  • Provide the basis for the independent assessor to make a decision about the grade to be awarded.

Resources for End Point Assessment

Top Tips …

Challenge Yourself

Throw yourself into it – as a Events Assistant, you need to get as much experience in this area as possible.

Use the time to learn how businesses work, and make as many connections across the business as you possible can – even in roles that don’t directly link to events. You’ll be surprised how useful this is.

Be Proactive

Try to consider the project you would like to get involved with as early as possible.

Your coach will support you through this and will be able to answer questions.