End Point Assessor - Apprenticeship - Supply Chain Warehouse Operative

End Point Assessor - Apprenticeship - Supply Chain Warehouse Operative

Reference: IEA/EPA/SCW/2020

Overview of the independent end-point assessor role:

The Government has introduced a requirement that all apprenticeships contain an end-point assessment (EPA) which is a holistic assessment of the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviour (KSBs) that have been learnt throughout the apprenticeship. This is to make sure that apprentices meet the rigorous standard set by employers and are fully competent in the relevant occupation. Pearson must provide employers with the confidence that completing an apprenticeship means an individual is fully job-ready and that all apprentices, following the same standard, are assessed consistently, regardless of where they are undertaking their apprenticeship or who they are doing it with.

An independent EPA means that those making a decision on the competency of the apprentice have nothing to gain from the outcome of the assessment. To maintain independence within the scope of this EPA, an independent end-point assessor (IEA) can only undertake end-point assessments of apprentices, with whom they have no conflict of interest. This means they must be independent of the registered apprenticeship training provider at which the apprentice completed their on-programme element, and must not have been involved in the on-programme training, assessment, or line management of such apprentices.

The end-point assessments will be conducted onsite, on dates agreed with employers and/or providers if appropriate. IEAs will record and submit the EPA outcomes, with clear justifications for the grading decisions. EPA activities will be quality assured by Pearson quality assurance representatives.

IEAs will be qualified assessors that meet the occupational profile of the apprentices they are assessing and will be trained, standardised and approved to operate as IEAs. The IEAs will undertake EPAs in line with the associated apprenticeship assessment plan, and the materials provided by Pearson. Please see the below Key Accountabilities and Person Specification sections for further details.

Key Accountabilities:

The IEA will:

• Take part in regular training and standardisation activities, associated with the role of IEA for this EPA

• Maintain and provide evidence of ongoing, relevant Continuous Professional Development (CPD)

• Assess the performance of candidates in accordance with published assessment and grading criteria and procedures, ensuring overall standards are maintained

• Follow the protocols set out in Pearson's specifications, assessment materials and quality assurance protocols, relating to the EPAs

• Maintain service-level agreements with regards to responding to EPA planning, operational activities, reports and submissions of assessment outcomes

• Report all risks and issues encountered during the end-point assessment to Pearson, including any suspected malpractice/maladministration

• Ensure all EPA reports and assessment evidence are high quality and recorded accurately

• Support Pearson, if necessary, with any appeals from apprentices, regarding assessment decisions

• Raise any conflicts of interest, including in relation to the independence of assessment

• Ensure that any personal actions are completed, as required by Pearson

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of Pearson's EPA activities

• Contribute to the external quality assurance activities undertaken by the named external quality assurance body.

Person Specification

Occupational Profile1: Warehouse Operatives work in a variety of warehouse environments. Work activities include taking deliveries, checking for damaged/missing items, storing goods, moving stock by various methods, picking/packing orders, loading goods for dispatch, maintaining stock records and documentation, and cleaning. They are required to safely use a range of equipment, machinery and vehicles, as relevant to their role and setting. This could include mechanical racking systems, materials handling equipment (MHE) or fork lift trucks.

Warehouse Operatives communicate with a wide range of people and customers. They have a passion to meet customers' expectations by providing a quality service that encourages repeat business. Individuals in this role are highly competent in using industry-recognised systems and associated services (e.g. Traffic/Warehouse Management Systems) and will be able to work under pressure to tight deadlines. A Warehouse Operative will often be required to be flexible and work shifts including 4-on-4-off, days, nights, evenings and weekends.

Profile drawn and adapted from Apprenticeship Standard for Supply Chain Warehouse Operative which was approved 24th June 2016, reference: ST0259. Usage under the terms of the Open Government Licence. Visit doc/open-government-licence

Background and Experience (essential):

• Be occupationally competent

• Hold an industry qualification at level 3 or above

• Be a qualified assessor

• Relevant and current professional experience in Warehousing roles

• Experience of leading meetings/structured interviews/discussions

• Experience of complying with quality assurance/regulatory requirements

• Evidence of commitment to maintaining CPD, in line with new apprenticeship requirements and the EPA specialism, including maintenance of recent occupational experience

Background and Experience (desirable):

• To hold, or be working towards an internal quality assurance qualification

• Experience of making grading judgements

• Current DBS

• Knowledge of prevent & safeguarding

Skills & Knowledge (Essential)

• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal skills, including the ability to effectively respond to conflicts

• Flexibility to understand and respond to the individual needs and circumstances of employers/apprentices

Sufficient and relevant technical knowledge of: