February 2025 EPA newsletter
Updated on [27/02/2025]
February 2025 EPA newsletter
Advice, guidance and support
Functional Skills
You may be aware of the latest update regarding apprenticeship training requirements, covered in the latest Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) funding rules. Apprentices who are aged 19 or over at the start of their apprenticeship can now proceed to their EPA without achieving Functional Skills English and/or maths at Level 1/2, provided certain conditions are met.
Last week we communicated that we’d added a Functional Skills exemption declaration form on epaPRO, but we’re pleased to announce that we’ve carried out development on the platform and you no longer need to complete this. Instead, and to ensure compliance with these new regulations, we’ve added an additional question to the Gateway requirements section on epaPRO, which must be completed when accessing the exemptions and the following requirements:
- the apprentice was 19+ at the start of their training
- the option to continue with Functional Skills English and maths training has been discussed and recorded
- if English and/or maths training is removed, the training plan will be updated and re-signed accordingly.
When accessing the exemption, you won’t be required to upload evidence to the English and maths section within the ‘elements section’ on epaPRO.
If you have any queries on the changes to Functional Skills requirements, please contact our Relationship team on 0191 240 8950 or [email protected].
End-of-year timeline and SLAs
Last month, we shared that we’re reducing our SLA durations for some of our standards where the assessment plans allow. These new SLAs have been tailored to fit the end-of-year schedule, ensuring you have the tools and time needed to prepare for key deadlines. To simplify your planning, we’ve created a timeline and tips document that covers everything you need to know to ensure your apprentices complete their end-point assessment (EPA) by 31 July 2025. The end-of-year timeline can be found in the support materials section on epaPRO.
Relationship team support
We want to remind you about the support available from our Relationship team. We acknowledge all emails within 24 hours and aim to provide a resolution as quickly as possible. If additional investigation or information is required, we’ll keep you updated every step of the way.
To ensure you receive the right support, we also have dedicated mailboxes for specific queries – however, you can still continue to reach out to [email protected] or your dedicated point of contact:
- Gateway audit queries - [email protected]
- EPA booking queries - [email protected]
- proctoring queries - [email protected]
Delivery
Assessment re-sit/re-takes
When apprentices need to complete a re-sit or re-take, they’ll only be assessed on the criteria they previously didn’t pass. They’ll have the full assessment duration to provide any additional information. However, if the assessment plan specifies a capped grade, they will not be able to achieve a higher grade regardless of any extra content they include.
Assessments
Please remind apprentices that if they’re completing their EPA assessments at their workplace, they should book a quiet meeting room that is free from distractions and interruptions.
Secure client and paper-based assessments
To simplify the process for invigilators, we’ve merged the invigilation register and checklist into a single document.
Paper-based assessments
Please return all answer papers, question papers, and supporting documentation to our EPA team via recorded courier within one working day using the provided return envelope.
Online assessments
All invigilation documents should be securely stored on your system for auditing purposes.
Product
Facilities Management Supervisor v1.0 sample paper
We’ve released the full sample paper for the Facilities Management Supervisor v1.0. This is now available on epaPRO under the guidance materials section.
Facilities Management Supervisor v1.1 - project proposal template
We’ve recently introduced a project proposal template for apprentices to complete to present at Gateway. This ensures apprentices capture all key information and confirm the project has not been started. This template should be used for any future Gateway requests from 1 April 2025.
Customer Service Practitioner v1.1
We’ve recently updated the Customer Service Practitioner specification and guidance document, now available on epaPRO under the guidance materials section.
As part of this update, we’ve aligned our guidance and removed the notes statement. Apprentices can now refer to the plan and prepare document during assessments for additional support.
Fundraiser v1.0
We’ve recently introduced a template to help apprentices map their case for support pitch to the relevant KSBs for the presentation with questions and answers assessment component.
Apprentices may continue using their own template or opt for NCFE’s version. However, whichever template is used, it must be submitted along with the case for support pitch and presentation within 28 days of acceptance at Gateway.
The case for support pitch evidence tracker is now available on epaPRO under the guidance materials section.
We're here to help!
- For apprentices accepted at Gateway before 29 November 2024, please reach out to [email protected].
- For learners presented after 6pm on 29 November 2024, or those that have not yet entered Gateway or are awaiting acceptance, contact the EPA Relationship team at [email protected]