Radio network technician

This document explains the requirements for end-point assessment (EPA) for the radio network technician apprenticeship. End-point assessment organisations (EPAOs) must follow this when designing and delivering the EPA.

Radio network technician apprentices, their employers and training providers should read this document.

A full-time radio network technician apprentice typically spends 24 months on-programme. The apprentice must spend at least 12 months on-programme and complete the required amount of off-the-job training in line with the apprenticeship funding rules.

The EPA should be completed within an EPA period lasting typically 3 months.

The apprentice must complete their training and meet the gateway requirements before starting their EPA. The EPA will assess occupational competence.

An approved EPAO must conduct the EPA for this apprenticeship. Employers must work with the training provider to select an approved EPAO from the apprenticeship providers and assessment register (APAR).

This EPA has 3 assessment methods.

The grades available for each assessment method are below.

Assessment method 1 - professional discussion underpinned with a portfolio:

• fail

• pass

• distinction

Assessment method 2 - observation:

• fail

• pass

• distinction

Assessment method 3 - presentation: written or verbal brief:

• fail

• pass

• distinction

The result from each assessment method is combined to decide the overall apprenticeship grade. The following grades are available for the apprenticeship:

• fail

• pass

• merit

• distinction

The EPA is taken in the EPA period. The EPA period starts when the EPAO confirms the gateway requirements have been met and is typically 3 months.

The EPAO should confirm the gateway requirements have been met and start the EPA as quickly as possible.

The apprentice’s employer must be content that the apprentice is occupationally competent. That is, they are deemed to be working at or above the level set out in the apprenticeship standard and ready to undertake the EPA. The employer may take advice from the apprentice's training provider, but the employer must make the decision. The apprentice will then enter the gateway.

The apprentice must meet the gateway requirements before starting their EPA.

They must:

• confirm they are ready to take the EPA
• have achieved English and mathematics qualifications in line with the apprenticeship funding rules

• submit a portfolio of evidence for the professional discussion underpinned with a portfolio

Portfolio of evidence requirements:

The apprentice must compile a portfolio of evidence during the on-programme period of the apprenticeship. It should only contain evidence related to the KSBs that will be assessed by the professional discussion . It will typically contain 8 discrete pieces of evidence. Evidence must be mapped against the KSBs. Evidence may be used to demonstrate more than one KSB as a qualitative rather than quantitative approach is suggested.

Evidence sources may include workplace documentation and records, for example:

• workplace policies and procedures
• witness statements maximum of 2
• annotated photographs
• video clips with a maximum total duration 10 minutes; the apprentice must be in view and identifiable
• audio clips

This is not a definitive list and other evidence sources can be included.

The portfolio of evidence should not include reflective accounts or any methods of self-assessment. Any employer contributions should focus on direct observation of performance, for example, witness statements, rather than opinions. The evidence provided must be valid and attributable to the apprentice and the portfolio of evidence should contain a statement from the employer and apprentice confirming this.

The EPAO should not assess the portfolio of evidence directly as it underpins the discussion . The independent assessor should review the portfolio of evidence to prepare questions for the discussion . They are not required to provide feedback after this review.

Gateway evidence must be submitted to the EPAO, along with any organisation specific policies and procedures requested by the EPAO.

The assessment methods can be delivered in any order.
The result of one assessment method does not need to be known before starting the next.

Overview

In the professional discussion, an independent assessor and apprentice have a formal two-way conversation. It gives the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this assessment method.

Rationale

This assessment method is being used because:

• it assesses KSBs holistically and objectively
• it allows for the assessment of KSBs that do not occur on a predictable or regular basis
• it allows for assessment of responses where there are a range of potential answers
• it can be conducted remotely, potentially reducing cost

reduces the assessment burden on the apprentice

Delivery

The professional discussion must be structured to give the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this assessment method to the highest available grade.

An independent assessor must conduct and assess the professional discussion.

The purpose of the independent assessor’s questions will be to assess the apprentice’s competence against the following themes:

• theory
• performance
• continuous professional development
• policy

The EPAO must give an apprentice a minimum of 2 days' notice of the professional discussion.

The independent assessor must have at least 2 weeks to review the supporting documentation.

The apprentice must have access to their portfolio of evidence during the professional discussion.

The apprentice can refer to and illustrate their answers with evidence from their portfolio of evidence however, the portfolio of evidence is not directly assessed.

The professional discussion must last for 60 minutes. The independent assessor can increase the time of the professional discussion by up to 10%. This time is to allow the apprentice to respond to a question if necessary.

The independent assessor must explain to the apprentice the format and timescales of the professional discussion before it starts. This does not count towards the assessment time.

The independent assessor must ask at least 8 questions. The independent assessor must use the questions from the EPAO’s question bank. Follow-up questions are allowed where clarification is required.

The apprentice may choose to end the assessment method early. The apprentice must be confident they have demonstrated competence against the assessment requirements for the assessment method. The independent assessor or EPAO must ensure the apprentice is fully aware of all assessment requirements. The independent assessor or EPAO cannot suggest or choose to end the assessment methods early, unless in an emergency. The EPAO is responsible for ensuring the apprentice understands the implications of ending an assessment early if they choose to do so. The independent assessor may suggest the assessment continues. The independent assessor must document the apprentice’s request to end the assessment early.

The independent assessor must make the grading decision.

The independent assessor must keep accurate records of the assessment. They must record:

• the apprentice’s answers to questions
• the KSBs demonstrated in answers to questions
• the grade achieved

Assessment location

The professional discussion must take place in a suitable venue selected by the EPAO for example, the EPAO’s or employer’s premises.

The professional discussion can be conducted by video conferencing. The EPAO must have processes in place to verify the identity of the apprentice and ensure the apprentice is not being aided.

The professional discussion should take place in a quiet room, free from distractions and influence.

Question and resource development

The EPAO must develop a purpose-built assessment specification and question bank. It is recommended this is done in consultation with employers of this occupation. The EPAO must maintain the security and confidentiality of EPA materials when consulting with employers. The assessment specification and question bank must be reviewed at least once a year to ensure they remain fit-for-purpose.

The assessment specification must be relevant to the occupation and demonstrate how to assess the KSBs mapped to this assessment method. The EPAO must ensure that questions are refined and developed to a high standard. The questions must be unpredictable. A question bank of sufficient size will support this.

The EPAO must ensure that the apprentice has a different set of questions in the case of re-sits or re-takes.

The EPAO must produce the following materials to support the professional discussion underpinned with a portfolio:

• independent assessor assessment materials which include:
  • training materials
  • administration materials
  • moderation and standardisation materials
  • guidance materials
  • grading guidance
  • question bank
• EPA guidance for the apprentice and the employer

The EPAO must ensure that the EPA materials are subject to quality assurance procedures including standardisation and moderation.

Overview

In an observation with questions, an independent assessor observes the apprentice completing a task or series of tasks, for example virtual or practical installation tasks set by the EPAO. The EPAO decides in which of the environments it takes place. The assessment environment must closely relate to the apprentice’s natural working environment. The EPAO and the employer will have a conservation on the best way to achieve this. It gives the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this assessment method.

Rationale

This assessment method is being used because:

• this is a practical role, which can be demonstrated through completing tasks
• it allows for consistency of opportunity for apprentices to demonstrate their competence against the mapped KSBs
• it assesses KSBs holistically and objectively

reduces the assessment burden on the apprentice

Delivery

The observation must be structured to give the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this assessment method to the highest available grade.

An independent assessor must conduct and assess the observation.

The EPAO must agree with the employer if more than one apprentice can be observed at a time, and still ensure quality and rigour. They must be as unobtrusive as possible.

The EPAO must give an apprentice at least 2 days' notice of the observation.

The observation must take 2 hours.

The independent assessor can increase the time of the observation by up to 10%. This time is to allow the apprentice to complete a task or respond to a question if necessary.

The observation cannot be split, other than for comfort breaks or to allow apprentices to move from one location to another. Where breaks occur, they will not count towards the total EPA time.

The independent assessor must explain to the apprentice the format and timescales of the observation before it starts. This does not count towards the assessment time.

The independent assessor must observe the following during the practical assessment:

• configure and maintain a network
• fault finding process including rectify and monitor
• user requirements utilising customer feedback to improve network performance
• working in a safe manner

Covering the KSBs in the following themes:

• performance
• fault finding
• policy
• user requirements

These activities provide the apprentice with the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this assessment method.

The independent assessor must ask questions.

The purpose of the questions is:

• to seek clarification where required
• to assess the level of competence against the grading descriptors

Questioning can occur both during and after the practical assessment. The time for questioning is included in the overall assessment time. The independent assessor must ask at least 4 questions. To remain as unobtrusive as possible, the independent assessor should ask questions during natural stops between tasks and after completion of work rather than disrupting the apprentice’s flow. The independent assessor must use the questions from the EPAO’s question bank or create their own questions in line with the EPAO’s training.

The independent assessor can ask follow-up questions to clarify answers given by the apprentice. These questions are in addition to the above set number of questions for the observation.

The independent assessor must make the grading decision. The independent assessor must assess the practical assessment and responses to questions holistically when deciding the grade. 

The independent assessor must keep accurate records of the assessment. They must record:

• the KSBs observed
• the apprentice’s answers to questions
• KSBs demonstrated in answers to questions
• the grade achieved

Assessment location

The observation must take place in an environment selected by the EPAO for example, the EPAO’s premises, a training provider’s premises, a training facility in the employer’s premises, a test centre or a similar environment. This environment must relate to the apprentice’s natural work environment and agreement must be gained ahead of EPA with the apprentice, employer and training provider regarding the arrangements for the observation. Equipment and resources needed for the observation must be confirmed to be available by the EPAO, who can liaise with the employer to provide these. They must be in good and safe working condition.

Question and resource development

The EPAO must develop a purpose-built assessment specification and question bank. It is recommended this is done in consultation with employers of this occupation. The EPAO must maintain the security and confidentiality of EPA materials when consulting with employers. The assessment specification and question bank must be reviewed at least once a year to ensure they remain fit-for-purpose.

The assessment specification must be relevant to the occupation and demonstrate how to assess the KSBs mapped to this assessment method. The EPAO must ensure that questions are refined and developed to a high standard. The questions must be unpredictable. A question bank of sufficient size will support this.

The EPAO must ensure that the apprentice has a different set of tasks and questions in the case of re-sits and retakes, to minimise predictability.

The EPAO must produce the following materials to support the observation:

• independent assessor assessment materials which include:
  • training materials
  • administration materials
  • moderation and standardisation materials
  • guidance materials
  • grading guidance
  • question bank
• EPA guidance for the apprentice and the employer

The EPAO must ensure that the EPA materials are subject to quality assurance procedures including standardisation and moderation.

Overview

In the brief with questions, the apprentice delivers their brief to an independent assessor on a set subject. The independent assessor must ask questions after the brief. It gives the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this assessment method.

Rationale

This assessment method is being used because:

• it assesses understanding of a subject it assesses knowledge and skills that cannot be directly observed in practice
• it provides the opportunity to use authentic workplace contexts which increases assessment validity in relation to the occupational role
• it allows for the testing of responses where there are a range of potential answers
• it can be conducted remotely, potentially reducing cost

Delivery

The presentation: written or verbal brief must be structured to give the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this assessment method to the highest available grade.

An independent assessor must conduct and assess the brief with questions.

The brief must cover:

• plan of suggested work brief
• reasons supporting choice of brief
• how they would communicate the brief to the stakeholder for example client or line manager

The brief should cover all the KSBs from the following themes:

• design
• performance
• plan
• policy

Written brief should be a minimum of 500 words.

The purpose of the brief is to allow the apprentice to demonstrate their competence against the grading descriptors.

The apprentice must submit any brief materials to the EPAO by the end of week 2 of the EPA period. The apprentice must notify the EPAO, at that point, of any technical requirements for the presentation.

During the brief, the apprentice must have access to:

• audio-visual presentation equipment
• flip chart and writing and drawing materials
• computer

The independent assessor must have at least 1 week to review any materials, before the brief is delivered by the apprentice, to allow them to prepare questions. The EPAO must give the apprentice at least 2 days' notice of the brief assessment.

The independent assessor must ask questions after the brief has been delivered..

The purpose of the questions is:

• to seek clarification where required
• to assess the level of competence against the grading descriptors

The brief and questions must last 40 minutes. This will typically include the brief of 10 minutes and questioning lasting 30 minutes. The independent assessor must use the full time available for questioning. The independent assessor can increase the total time of the brief and questioning by up to 10%. This time is to allow the apprentice to complete their last point or respond to a question if necessary.

The independent assessor must ask at least 6 questions. They must use the questions from the EPAO’s question bank or create their own questions in line with the EPAO’s training. Follow up questions are allowed where clarification is required.

The apprentice may choose to end the assessment method early. The apprentice must be confident they have demonstrated competence against the assessment requirements for the assessment method. The independent assessor or EPAO must ensure the apprentice is fully aware of all assessment requirements. The independent assessor or EPAO cannot suggest or choose to end the assessment methods early, unless in an emergency. The EPAO is responsible for ensuring the apprentice understands the implications of ending an assessment early if they choose to do so. The independent assessor may suggest the assessment continues. The independent assessor must document the apprentice’s request to end the assessment early.

The independent assessor must make the grading decision. The independent assessor must assess the brief and answers to questions holistically when deciding the grade.

The independent assessor must keep accurate records of the assessment. They must record:

• the KSBs demonstrated
• the apprentice’s answers to questions
• the KSBs demonstrated in answers to questions
• the grade achieved

Assessment location

The brief with questions must take place in a suitable venue selected by the EPAO for example, the EPAO’s or employer’s premises. The brief with questions should take place in a quiet room, free from distractions and influence.

The presentation: written or verbal brief can be conducted by video conferencing. The EPAO must have processes in place to verify the identity of the apprentice and ensure the apprentice is not being aided.

Question and resource development

The EPAO must develop a purpose-built assessment specification and question bank. It is recommended this is done in consultation with employers of this occupation. The EPAO must maintain the security and confidentiality of EPA materials when consulting with employers. The assessment specification and question bank must be reviewed at least once a year to ensure they remain fit-for-purpose.

The assessment specification must be relevant to the occupation and demonstrate how to assess the KSBs mapped to this assessment method. The EPAO must ensure that questions are refined and developed to a high standard. The questions must be unpredictable. A question bank of sufficient size will support this.

The EPAO must ensure that the apprentice has a different set of questions in the case of re-sits or re-takes.

The EPAO must produce the following materials to support the presentation: written or verbal brief:

• independent assessor EPA materials which include:
  • training materials
  • administration materials
  • moderation and standardisation materials
  • guidance materials
  • grading guidance
  • question bank
• EPA guidance for the apprentice and the employer

The EPAO must ensure that the EPA materials are subject to quality assurance procedures including standardisation and moderation.

Performance in the EPA determines the overall grade of:

• fail

• pass

• merit

• distinction

An independent assessor must individually grade the professional discussion underpinned with a portfolio, observation and presentation: written or verbal brief in line with this EPA plan.

An independent assessor must individually grade the

• Professional discussion underpinned with a portfolio An independent assessor must individually grade the
  • Observation An independent assessor must individually grade the
    • Presentation: Written or verbal brief

    The EPAO must combine the individual assessment method grades to determine the overall EPA grade.

    If the apprentice fails one assessment method or more, they will be awarded an overall fail.

    To achieve an overall pass, the apprentice must achieve at least a pass in all the assessment methods. To achieve an overall merit, the apprentice must achieve a combination of 1 pass and 2 distinction in any of the three assessment methods. To achieve an overall distinction, the apprentice must achieve a distinction in all three assessment methods.

    Grades from individual assessment methods must be combined in the following way to determine the grade of the EPA overall.

If the apprentice fails one assessment method or more, they can take a re-sit or a re-take at their employer’s discretion. The apprentice’s employer needs to agree that a re-sit or re-take is appropriate. A re-sit does not need further learning, whereas a re-take does. The apprentice should have a supportive action plan to prepare for a re-sit or a re-take.

The employer and the EPAO should agree the timescale for a re-sit or re-take. A re-sit is typically taken within 1 months of the EPA outcome notification. The timescale for a re-take is dependent on how much re-training is required and is typically taken within 2 months of the EPA outcome notification.

Failed assessment methods must be re-sat or re-taken within a 6-month period from the EPA outcome notification, otherwise the entire EPA will need to be re-sat or re-taken in full.

Re-sits and re-takes are not offered to an apprentice wishing to move from pass to a higher grade.

The apprentice will get a maximum EPA grade of merit if they need to re-sit or re-take one or more assessment methods, unless the EPAO determines there are exceptional circumstances.

Reasonable adjustments

The EPAO must have reasonable adjustments arrangements for the EPA.

This should include:

• how an apprentice qualifies for a reasonable adjustment
• what reasonable adjustments may be made

Adjustments must maintain the validity, reliability and integrity of the EPA as outlined in this EPA plan.

Special considerations

The EPAO must have special consideration arrangements for the EPA.

This should include:

• how an apprentice qualifies for a special consideration
• what special considerations will be given

Special considerations must maintain the validity, reliability and integrity of the EPA as outlined in this EPA plan.

Internal quality assurance refers to the strategies, policies and procedures that an EPAO must have in place to ensure valid, consistent and reliable EPA decisions.

EPAOs for this EPA must adhere to the requirements within the roles and responsibilities table.

They must also appoint independent assessors who:

• have recent relevant experience of the occupation or sector to at least occupational level 4 gained in the last 2 years or significant experience of the occupation or sector

Affordability of the EPA will be aided by using at least some of the following:

• utilising digital remote platforms to conduct applicable assessment methods

• conducting assessment methods on the same day

This apprenticeship aligns with:

• The Institute of Telecommunications Professionals. for Those completing the apprenticeship are eligible for recognition at full membership

This apprenticeship aligns with:

• Register of IT Technicians. RITTech for Associate membership