Colleges should deliver their own end point assessments for apprentices

A new report, Apprenticeship End Point Assessment Activity for Colleges recommends that colleges, as trusted education providers, should be allowed to carry out their own end point assessment (EPA) of apprentices, instead of relying on external providers.

The report from The Association of Colleges, sheds light on the critical role of EPAs in ensuring the success of college apprentices. It finds that 43% of colleges have experienced delays of three months or longer in apprentices being assessed and 82% experienced delays of over one month.

EPAs are currently carried out by an end-point assessment organisation (EPAO) chosen by the apprentice’s employer or training provider. In the AoC survey, 94% of respondents said that the availability of an end point assessor contributed to the delays, despite trainers/teachers previously having left colleges to train as assessors.

The report’s author, Claire Barker, Senior Policy Manager, Skills and Industry at the Association of Colleges said: “Apprentices are the backbone of our workforce, the next generation whose skills and expertise are essential to the government's mission of kickstarting economic growth across the country.

“The delays identified in this report make a compelling case for colleges to take charge of their own EPAs, to break down barriers to apprentices' career progression ensuring they can complete in a timely, straightforward manner.”

The report also finds that the true cost of EPAs is likely higher, due to the cost of resits and additional physical resources required. This, in addition to 48% of respondents reporting a higher cost of EPAs than when the apprentice commenced the apprenticeship, is adding additional pressure on colleges’ already strained budgets.

Colleges navigate a complex and dynamic landscape, partnering with a wide array of end point assessment organizations (EPAOs) to support their diverse apprenticeship programmes. In the survey, 45% of colleges reported working with 11 or more EPAOs, highlighting the significant challenge of ensuring smooth and effective processes, which are crucial for delivering high-quality apprenticeships.

The government recently announced first steps to reform EPA, with the removal of some red tape. These changes should go one step further and work towards colleges conducting their own EPA, creating a more efficient path for apprentices ready to enter the workplace.