Independent EPA: Supply Chain Practitioner

Independent end-point assessor for Supply Chain Practitioner (Fast moving consumer goods) (Level 3)

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 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:

• 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 Profile:

The broad purpose of the occupation is to move products or services from supplier to customer, ensuring customer satisfaction is achieved at all stages. The occupation can be in one or more supply chain functions, for example, junior demand planners will forecast customer demand. A junior supply planner will schedule factory production, a customer service operative will process customer orders, and an assistant transport planner will work with hauliers and distributions centres to organise transportation and delivery. Supply chain practitioners will have a broad understanding of the entire supply chain and must strive to ensure their impact on each function offers best value for their organisation and internal and external stakeholders.

In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with internal and external stakeholders who are critical in ensuring supply chain effectiveness. Due to the high number of interactions both within and outside of organisations, strong relationship building, influencing, stakeholder management and communication skills are essential.

Background and Experience (essential):

• Be occupationally competent
• Hold an industry qualification at level 5 or above
• Be a qualified assessor
• Relevant and current professional experience in Supply Chain Practitioner in last 3 years
• 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
• Minimum of two working days during the week will be required for EPA role.

Background and Experience (desirable):

• To hold, or be working towards an internal quality assurance qualification
• Experience of making grading judgements

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:
• Health and Safety requirements in the workplace
• Industry structure and processes
• Relevant legal and regulatory frameworks
• A range of products and services offered within the industry
• Systems, tools, equipment, machinery and processes used within relevant roles
• 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

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