End-Point Assessment (EPA) update - April 2021

Level 2 Apprenticeships Functional Skills requirement

On 24 March, 2021, a new announcement from the ESFA confirmed that the current temporary flexibility that suspends the funding rule requiring level 2 apprentices to study towards and take a functional skills assessment at level 2 has been extended until the 31 July, 2021. 

A level 2 apprentice will still require a level 1 in English and maths to complete their apprenticeship. The temporary suspension applies to both apprenticeship standards and frameworks.

To ensure apprentices are able to progress through gateway, please continue to upload a word document, titled “level 2 flexibility” to enable the gateway checks to be completed within ACE360.

Paper-based MCT bookings

With the increase in demand for paper-based test bookings, we have introduced a new form to streamline the booking process and reduce the need for manual email interactions.

New MCT booking form

NB – we are unable to accept any test bookings made through the booking tool within ACE.

As a reminder, for any paper-based test bookings:

• a minimum of five working days’ notice is required. This will ensure that all key checks can be undertaken and sufficient time for dispatch can occur
• any special requests will be reviewed on a case by case basis
• all results of MCT tests will be provided within a ten working day period. The ten working day period will start when the test paper is received back at Pearson. 

ACE data 

Thank you to all customers who update ACE360 with any changes to apprentice’s personal information, expected gateway dates and employer details.

To ensure prompt certification following End-Point Assessment, please ensure that apprentices data is correct prior to gateway signoff.

With some apprenticeship standards having different versions, please ensure apprentices are registered on the correct version.

Team Leader Supervisor

Any apprenticeship starts as of 26 June, 2020 should be registered against this new version of the assessment plan. 

Any apprentices registered prior to 26 June, 2020 remain on the previous version (version 1) of the assessment plan.

Business Administrator

Any apprenticeship starts as of 10 September, 2020 should be registered against this new version (version 3) of the assessment plan.

Any apprentices registered prior to 10 September 2020 remain on the previous version (version 1) of the assessment plan. 

Senior Healthcare Support Worker

Any apprenticeship starts as of 5 September, 2018 should be registered against version 2 of the assessment plan.

Any apprentices registered prior to 5 September, 2018 remain on the previous version (version 1) of the assessment plan. 

Upcoming webinars

To support you to understand the key changes to the Business Administrator version 3 and Team Leader Supervisor version 3 assessment plans, we have arranged the following webinars:

Business Administrator - 21 April, 2021 at 11am – Register your place

Team Leader - 27 April, 2021 at 11am – Register your place

As always, if you have any queries or questions, please contact epadelivery@pearson.com