Apprentices: Assessments

(asked on 13th January 2021) - View Source

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many apprentices are awaiting their End-Point Assessment and unable to complete their apprenticeship.


Answered by
Gillian Keegan Portrait
Gillian Keegan
Secretary of State for Education
This question was answered on 18th January 2021

We do not hold data on the number of apprentices who are awaiting their end-point assessment. Our apprenticeships data is published here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/apprenticeships-and-traineeships. There were 46,930 apprenticeship achievements reported between 23 March and 31 July 2020.

The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education has introduced alternative arrangements for End-Point Assessments (EPAs), including remote assessment where practicable, 12 week extensions to the time limit for completion, and relaxation of the order in which elements can be taken. The Institute has published a list of over 100 apprenticeship standards where additional discretions have been introduced, including cybersecurity technologist and nursing associate. Further information on this is available here: https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/covid-19/recent-announcements/list-of-standards-with-temporary-discretions-or-flexibilities/.

Following the introduction of National Restrictions on 6 January, EPAs should now take place remotely wherever possible, in line with the Institute’s guidance on the delivery of assessment. Assessments can continue in colleges, training providers’ premises, assessment venues and workplaces where they cannot be conducted remotely and where providers and assessment organisations judge it right to do so. Further information is available here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/950845/Apprenticeship_response_to_COVID-19_FINAL.pdf#page=28&zoom=100,69,640.

All EPA flexibilities and discretions put in place due to the COVID-19 outbreak will be extended until at least 31 August 2021. We continue to review the flexibilities in place to ensure high-quality assessment can continue allowing apprentices to undertake their assessments despite current operating constraints. Our intention is to safeguard the quality of apprenticeships, and EPAs are an integral part of that.

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