Apprenticeship - End-Point Assessor - Outdoor Learning Specialist L5 - End Point Assessor (New)

Apprenticeship – End-Point Assessor – Outdoor Learning Specialist L5 – End Point Assessor (New)

Reference: OLS/EPA

Job description: Independent end-point assessor Outdoor learning specialist L5

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. Find out more about how we can help you and your learners at

Overview of the independent end-point assessor role

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 deciding 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, or remotely, on dates agreed with employers and/or providers if appropriate. Independent end-point assessors 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 these EPAs will be qualified IQAs 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 independent end-point assessor will:

● Take part in regular training and standardisation activities, associated with the role of independent end-point assessor 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

● Allow additional time for travel, when making EPA arrangements

● 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 the Institute for Apprenticeships (IfA).

Person Specification

This occupation is found in outdoor sport, leisure, tourism, public health, youth work and education sectors. Apprentices are employed by charitable outdoor organisations, private and for-profit outdoor learning businesses, schools, expedition providers, social enterprises, etc. Outdoor Learning Specialists work within outdoor activity or education centres; outdoor adventure and activity businesses; expedition and sports tourism providers; early years, schools, colleges and universities; national parks, nature reserves and country parks; youth work and youth development organisations; health, wellbeing and social care contexts; and training and educational organisations. The broad purpose of the occupation is the design, planning and delivery of programmes that provide progressive learning and change using outdoor activities and experiences. Typical impacts are educational achievement, personal and social development, health and wellbeing, nature connection, outdoor science, team cohesion, or practical skills development. In smaller organisations Outdoor Learning Specialists are likely to perform all duties of this standard within their role. In larger organisations their role may specialise in duties related to programme delivery, customer relationship management, staffing and team support, or safety and risk management for example.

Outdoor Learning Specialists apply professional outdoor leadership judgement in order to facilitate safe and effective individual and group learning. Their technical and subject specific outdoor activity competence will have been developed through a mix of academic and vocational qualifications, and experience. They have a broad and specialised knowledge of the natural outdoor environment and determine likely hazards of undertaking activities and perform in-advance and in the moment (dynamic) risk – benefit assessments. They manage the allocated resources required for an outdoor learning programme, including delivery team, vehicles, trailers, technical equipment, catering, budget, etc. They are able to work autonomously to direct and support delivery staff and solve problems associated with a dynamic change in group, equipment, or environmental conditions using an appropriate problem solving, recovery, rescue or emergency response.

Occupational Profiles:

Background and Experience (essential):

● Current relevant occupational competence within the workplace for at least 2 yrs.

● Qualified with a relevant qualification/s at or above the level they are assessing

● (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

● Assessing Qualification, Teaching Qualification to address both Skills, knowledge and behaviours in the workplace at Level 5

● Minimum of 24hr per annum CPD of assessing competence

● A member of a relevant professional bodies such as Institute for outdoor learning, Society for Education and Training.

Background and Experience (desirable):

● Experience of Marking or grading Judgements

Essential others

Only UK based candidates will be considered for this role due to requirements

Minimum of two working days during the week will be required for EPA role.

Skills & Knowledge (Essential):

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

● Knowledge of relevant legislation, codes of practice

● Sufficient and relevant technical knowledge of the telecoms industry:

● 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

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

● Attend standardisation events.