End-point assessment for training providers
Working in partnership with providers, BCS combines its digital and end-point assessment expertise to provide apprentices with a positive and rewarding apprenticeship experience.
BCS is a registered end-point assessment organisation for digital apprenticeships
We’re dedicated to the digital profession and have delivered over 10,000 assessments with a pass rate of 87%.
What is involved in end-point assessment?
As apprentices near the end of their training, the employer with your help decides when they are ready to be assessed - at this point it is known as entering the Gateway. An apprentice cannot complete their apprenticeship without passing an end-point assessment.
The EPA allows apprentices to show what they’ve learnt and how they are applying their skills and knowledge within the workplace.
What is the training provider’s role in end-point assessment?
Training providers play an important role in helping employers determine when the apprentice is ready to start their end-point assessment. You’ll support the employer in their choice of end-point assessment organisation, and work with the apprentice to help prepare them for their assessments.
Choosing the end-point assessment organisation
The employer selects which end-point assessment organisation carries out the apprentice’s assessment. The organisation must be independent, registered and unconnected to their business and yours. The assessment organisation is a key partner in the programme so it’s important the employer chooses an organisation they can trust to provide a positive experience for the apprentice, and an efficient service for everyone involved.
Chosen to assess 10,000+ digital apprentices
As the professional body for IT, BCS has been raising the standards of performance across the industry for over 60 years. Our commitment to professional development is firmly at the heart of our quality-focused end-point assessment giving confidence to both the apprentice and their employer.
Our assessors are specialists in their field who undergo rigorous training, moderation and standardisation, and share a common goal, that’s to draw out the best from apprentices. We work closely with training providers to support digital apprentices throughout their journey, so they are prepared and ready.
Top 5 reasons for partnering with BCS
- Choose from an extensive apprenticeship portfolio covering key digital roles; we’ve also developed the knowledge modules that form part of many of the apprenticeships, delivering over 40,000 of them.
- Take advantage of industry-leading systems including ACE360 and Pluralsight which have helped to make us the IT profession’s trusted end-point assessment organisation.
- Build strong professional relationships in our training provider network, underpinned by a joint commitment to sharing knowledge, information and good practice through regular communication and forums.
- We recognise apprentices’ achievements with RITTech registration and BCS membership to support their continuous professional development and career progression.
- BCS was the very first organisation to deliver end-point assessment, back in 2017 - since then we’ve delivered over 10,000 and today over 21,500 apprentices are registered with us.
Preparing for end-point assessment
Our end-point assessment process is designed to put the apprentice at ease, allowing them to demonstrate how the knowledge, skills and behaviours that they’ve learned during their apprenticeship are applied to their job.
End-point assessment for the original digital standards
While many of these apprenticeships have been updated, apprentices who have started on them will complete the assessment methods set out in the associated assessment plan. You can see from the list of digital standards when new apprenticeships are introduced.
The assessment methods across the original apprenticeship standards include:
The apprentice compiles a portfolio throughout the training programme which includes evidence of their best work and demonstrates their knowledge, competence and behaviours in the real working environment.
Apprentices are required to complete a business-related project over 3-5 days, away from their normal place of work and in a controlled environment. We can usually offer a choice of work-based scenarios allowing them to select the project most appropriate to them.
The employer must write a reference about the apprentice's performance in the workplace and how they've applied their knowledge, competencies and behaviours in the projects they've been given.
Following our review of their portfolio, project and employer reference, we'll arrange a final interview with the apprentice. We'll be looking for further evidence to establish their final grade - pass, merit or distinction.
The interview usually lasts between one to two hours.
Successful apprentices achieve a grade of either pass, merit or distinction.
Registering an apprentice
To register an apprentice for our end-point assessment you’ll firstly need to be a BCS-accredited training provider. As soon as the apprentice is registered, they’ll gain access to our EPA preparation tool kit.
EPA quick facts
End-point assessment
End-point assessment (EPA) is the process for assessing all apprenticeship standards. An apprentice cannot complete their apprenticeship without passing an end-point assessment demonstrating they have the knowledge, skills and behaviours contained in the published apprenticeship standard.
Trailblazers
Employer trailblazers are responsible for defining the knowledge, skills and behaviours in the apprenticeship standards and how they are assessed. Details of the trailblazer employers can be found on the published apprenticeship standards.
