Apprenticeship - Learning and Skills Mentor (Level 4)- End Point Assessor

This job is with Pearson, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community.

Independent end-point assessor for Learning and Skills Mentor (Level 4) End Point Assessments.

About Pearson: Pearson is the world's leading learning company, with 35,000 employees in more than 70 countries working to help people of all ages to make measurable progress in their lives through learning. We put the apprentice at the centre of everything we do, because wherever learning flourishes, so do people.

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 for this EPA 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.

Key Accountabilities:

• Have 3 years working experience of mentoring
• 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/mal-administration
• 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 end-point assessment activities
• Contribute to the external quality assurance activities undertaken by OFQUAL

Person Specification:

Occupational Profile: This occupation is found in the public, private and voluntary sectors in national and multinational organisations. The role of the learning and skills mentor can be found in all sectors where training and development is required. For example, but not limited to, healthcare, military, manufacturing, production, business and professional, education, leisure, construction, creative, technology.

The purpose of the learning and skills mentor occupation is to support individuals and groups with their learning and development towards agreed goals. They will do this by working within ethical and legal frameworks to ensure a high standard of mentoring practice. They will work collaboratively with stakeholders to inclusively meet the individual needs of the mentee. They will be committed to their own professional development and reflective practice as a mentor and within their sector.

Background and Experience (essential):

• Have the competence to assess the apprentice at the level of this apprenticeship and hold any required qualifications and experience in line with the requirements
• Be occupationally competent in this sector
• Qualified to at least the level of this standard
• Hold an assessor's qualification (A1 assessors award or TAQA qualification) for 2 years
• Mentoring experience for 3 years
• Be a member of a professional mentoring body
• Have recent relevant experience of the occupation or sector to at least occupational level 3 gained in the last 5 years or significant experience of the occupation or sector.
• 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
• Willing to travel as face-to-face assessments

Background and Experience (desirable):

• To hold, or be working towards an internal quality assurance qualification
• Experience of making grading judgement
• 3 years recent assessing experience
• Continual CPD in assessment and Mentoring practice within the last 2 years.
• 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: Assessment Practice, Context and Values
• In-depth knowledge of the associated apprenticeship standard, assessment plan, specification, assessment instruments and recording tools
• Ability to assess, free from bias
• Ability to assess and report risks
• Ability to meet deadlines
• Willing to travel to locations.

Other requirements:

Any applicant undertaking this role will be expected to:

• Have personal IT equipment capable of running Pearson required software
• Have a suitable broadband connection, Microphone, Headphones and a webcam
• Have a personal and secure email account
• Have a postal address in the United Kingdom or Republic of Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey Isle of Man
• Have the right to work in the UK
• Allow additional time for travel, when making EPA arrangements

Application Information: We have a number of opportunities available for teaching professionals to join our growing teams of examiners, moderators and verifiers.