This standard aligns with level 3 of the Grounds Management Framework (GMF) for Grounds Management Association (GMA) recognition as well as the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) for full member.
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This document explains the requirements for end-point assessment (EPA) for the advanced sports turf technician apprenticeship. End-point assessment organisations (EPAOs) must follow this when designing and delivering the EPA.
Advanced sports turf technician apprentices, their employers and training providers should read this document.
An approved EPAO must conduct the EPA for this apprenticeship. Employers must select an approved EPAO from the Education and Skills Funding Agency’s Register of end-point assessment organisations (RoEPAO).
A full-time apprentice typically spends 24 months on-programme (this means in training before the gateway) working towards competence as a advanced sports turf technician. All apprentices must spend at least 12 months on-programme. All apprentices must complete the required amount of off-the-job training specified by the apprenticeship funding rules.
This EPA has 3 assessment methods.
The grades available for each assessment method are:
Assessment method 1 - written test:
Assessment method 2 - project, presentation and questions:
Assessment method 3 - professional discussion supported by a portfolio of evidence and facility walk:
The result from each assessment method is combined to decide the overall apprenticeship grade. The following grades are available for the apprenticeship:
The EPA will be taken within the EPA period. The EPA period begins when the EPAO confirms the gateway requirements are met and is typically 4 months from that date.
The expectation is that the EPAO will confirm the gateway requirements are met and the EPA begins as quickly as possible.
The apprentice’s employer must confirm that they think their apprentice is working at or above the occupational standard. The apprentice will then enter the gateway. The employer may take advice from the apprentice's training provider(s), but the employer must make the decision.
The apprentice must meet the gateway requirements before starting their EPA.
These are:
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 this assessment method. It will typically contain 20 discrete pieces of evidence. Evidence must be mapped against the KSBs. Evidence may be used to demonstrate more than one KSB; a qualitative as opposed to quantitative approach is suggested.
Evidence sources may include:
This is not a definitive list; 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 should be valid and attributable to the apprentice; 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.
The apprentice must submit any policies and procedures as 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.
A test is an assessment method for asking questions in a controlled and invigilated environment.
This EPA method is being used because the criteria may not naturally occur during everyday business activities and it is important to demonstrate knowledge recall. The method will effectively test higher-order reasoning, and critical thinking. It will ensure consistency and enables direct comparisons between apprentices. The written examination is reliable and affordable to deliver and mark.
This method must be appropriately structured to give the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this EPA method to the highest available grade.
The written test can be computer or paper based.
The written test will consist of 14 short and long written response questions. There must be 10 short written response questions and there must be 4 long written response questions. Long and short answer questions need a written response.
10 short answer questions in relation to:
4 long answer questions covering the following:
Short answer questions need either a written response of typically 1-2 sentences, around 25 words or calculations including workings and a final answer, or diagrams in order to cover the scope of the KSBs.
Long answer questions need a written response of typically 2-3 paragraphs, around 300 words.
The written test must have at least one question for each theme (see mapping of KSBs to themes). A question bank must be used (see question and resource development section), though the combination of questions should vary from version to version to mitigate from predictability. EPAOs must ensure that this is effectively managed and tracked.
Each test paper should have 65 marks in total.
The allocation of marks for each question type should be in line with the following parameters:
Whilst EPAOs may vary the marking allocation for the questions, they must ensure that each version of the test paper is of comparable challenge.
Individual marks can be awarded for partial responses. Half marks are not permitted. Where there is insufficient evidence to award any marks in a response, a zero mark must be given. Marks will be awarded in line with the EPAOs mark scheme. The grading descriptors must inform the mark scheme.
Apprentices must be given at least 14 days notice of the date and time of the written test.
The apprentice must have 120 minutes to complete the test.
The test is closed book which means that the apprentice cannot refer to reference books or materials whilst taking the test.
The following equipment is allowed to be used during the test:
Calculator
The test must be taken in the presence of an invigilator who is the responsibility of the EPAO. Specialist (proctor) software can be used if the test can be taken on-line, to ensure the security of the test. The EPAO must have an invigilation policy setting out how the test must be conducted. It must state the ratio of apprentices to invigilators for the setting and allow the test to take place in a secure way.
The EPAO must verify the apprentice.
The EPAO is responsible for the security of the written test including the arrangements for on-line testing. The EPAO must ensure that their security arrangements maintain the validity and reliability of the test.
The written test must be marked by independent assessors or markers employed by the EPAO. They must follow a marking scheme produced by the EPAO. Marking by computer is allowed where question types support this.
The EPAO must develop a marking scheme based on the grading descriptors for this assessment method.
The EPAO is responsible for overseeing the marking of the test. The EPAO must ensure standardisation and moderation of tests with written answers.
Apprentices must take the written test in a suitably controlled and invigilated environment that is a quiet room, free from distractions and influence. The EPAO must check the venue is suitable. The written test could take place remotely if the appropriate technology and systems are in place to prevent malpractice. EPAOs must verify the apprentice’s identity and ensure invigilation of apprentices for example with, and not limited to, 360-degree cameras and screen sharing facilities.
EPAOs must write a test specification and question bank. The specification must be relevant to the occupation and demonstrate how to assess the KSBs shown in the mapping. It is recommended this is done in consultation with employers of this occupation. EPAOs should maintain the security and confidentiality of EPA materials when consulting employers. The questions must be unpredictable. A question bank of sufficient size will support this. The test specification and questions must be reviewed at least once a year to ensure they remain fit for-purpose.
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 should 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.
EPAOs must develop purpose-built question banks and ensure that appropriate quality assurance procedures are in place, for example, considering previous item performance data, item analysis, standardisation, training and moderation. EPAOs must ensure that questions are refined and developed to a high standard.
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 test:
A project involves the apprentice completing a significant and defined piece of work that has a real business application and benefit. The project must start after the apprentice has gone through the gateway.
The project, presentation and questions must be structured to give the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this EPA method to the highest available grade.
The project must meet the needs of the employer’s business and be relevant to the apprentice’s occupation and apprenticeship. The EPAO must confirm that it provides the apprentice with the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this EPA method to the highest available grade. The EPAO must refer to the grading descriptors to ensure that projects are pitched appropriately. The EPAO must confirm the project title and scope within 1 week of gateway.
This EPA method has 2 components:
a project report
presentation with questions and answers
The project and any components must be assessed holistically by the independent assessor when they are deciding the grade for this EPA method.
This EPA method is being used because it enables a defined piece of work to be undertaken after the gateway to demonstrate particular aspects of the occupation. The project reflects the approach taken to collect agronomic data and produce a maintenance plan when operating in the field. Other methods such as a practical observation would not be possible as it would take too long and not be practical to schedule alongside existing work. This occupation requires the presentation of recommendations to colleagues and therefore reflects the requirements of the role. The questioning enables underpinning knowledge and understanding to be assessed. This method enables synoptic assessment of knowledge, skills, and behaviours.
Delivery
Apprentices must complete a project encompassing the following:
The project and maintenance plan may typically be based on preparations required for a:
To ensure the project allows the apprentice to meet the KSBs mapped to this EPA method to the highest available grade, the EPAO should sign-off the project’s title and scope at the gateway to confirm it is suitable.
The project must be in the form of a report.
The apprentice must start the project after the gateway. They must complete and submit the report to the EPAO within 8 weeks from when the project title has been agreed. The employer should ensure the apprentice has the time and resources within this period, to plan and complete their project. The apprentice must complete their project and the production of all its components unaided.
The apprentice may work as part of a team which could include technical internal or external support. However, the project report must be the apprentice’s own work and will be reflective of their own role and contribution. The apprentice and their employer must confirm that the project report is the apprentice’s own work when it is submitted.
The report must include at least:
The collection and analysis of agronomic data in order to prepare a sports turf maintenance plan.
The maintenance plan will need to cover a determined time period for key competitions/ events, a sports turf problem, or a renovation project. It must consider the management of weeds, pests, diseases, and disorders and make recommendations in order to maximise the condition of the playing surfaces.
The project report must include:
The project report has a maximum word count of 3000 words. A tolerance of 10% above or below the word count is allowed at the apprentice’s discretion. Appendices, references, photographs, tables, and diagrams are not included in this total. The project report must map, in an appendix, how it evidences the relevant KSBs mapped to this EPA method.
Delivery
This is a formal presentation where the apprentice will present to an independent assessor on a set subject. The independent assessor must ask questions. Apprentices must prepare, submit and deliver a presentation. The presentation is restricted to the KSBs allocated to this EPA method as shown in the mapping section of this document.
The presentation and questioning must typically last 30 minutes. This will include a presentation of 15 minutes maximum and questioning lasting a maximum of 15 minutes.
The independent assessor must ask at least 5 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 presentation will provide an overview of the apprentice’s project and consist of presentation with questions and answers. Independent assessors will ask questions after the presentation. All presentations must include at least:
The apprentice must prepare and submit their presentation to the EPAO at the same time as the report which is a maximum of 8 weeks from when the project title has been agreed and after gateway. The apprentice must notify the EPAO, at the submission of the presentation, of any technical requirements for the presentation. For the presentation, the apprentice can have access to:
The independent assessor must have at least 2 weeks to review the project output(s) and presentation before the presentation is delivered by the apprentice, to allow them to prepare appropriate questions. Apprentices must be given at least 1 weeks’ notice of the date and time of the presentation with questions and answer session.
The presentation with questioning must take place in a suitable venue selected by the EPAO for example, the EPAO’s , training provider's or employer’s premises. It should take place in a quiet room, free from distractions and influence.
The presentation with questioning 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.
EPAOs must write an assessment specification and question bank. The specification must be relevant to the occupation and demonstrate how to assess the KSBs shown in the mapping. It is recommended this is done in consultation with employers of this occupation. EPAOs should maintain the security and confidentiality of EPA materials when consulting employers. The questions must be unpredictable. A question bank of sufficient size will support this. The assessment specification and questions must be reviewed at least once a year to ensure they remain fit-for-purpose.
EPAOs must develop purpose-built question banks and ensure that appropriate quality assurance procedures are in place, for example, considering standardisation, training, and moderation. EPAOs must ensure that questions are refined and developed to a high standard.
The EPAO must ensure that apprentices have a different set of questions in the case of re-sits or re-takes.
EPAO must produce independent assessor EPA materials. They should include:
In the professional discussion, an independent assessor and apprentice have a formal two-way conversation.
The apprentice can refer to and illustrate their answers with evidence from their portfolio of evidence. It gives the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate their competency across the KSBs mapped to this EPA method.
This EPA method is being used because it allows the holistic assessment of KSBs. It enables the independent assessor to draw on examples of work carried out by the apprentice. The use of the portfolio and facilities walk will assist the candidate to amplify their examples and to demonstrate the work carried out. The assessor will be able to test underpinning knowledge and understanding.
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 test knowledge and understanding of the themes mapped to this method.
The professional discussion, including the facility walk, will last 120 minutes and consist of 2 parts. The first part will take place in a room free from distractions and the second part will take place alongside a facility walk. Travel time between locations will not count towards the total duration; the clock will be stopped. This length of time should allow for all relevant parts of the facility to be visited.
The independent assessor will have reviewed the portfolio to determine an outline of the areas of the facility they need to visit.
Part 1
In the first 30 minutes of the assessment, the independent assessor will conduct the discussion in a room free of distractions and allow the apprentice to refer to their portfolio.
This aspect of the discussion will focus on:
They will also discuss and agree on a route through the facility in preparation for the facility walk.
Part 2
In the final 90 minutes of the professional discussion, the independent assessor will conduct and assess the apprentice whilst walking around the pre-selected areas of the facility on a one-to-one basis (it is not necessary to visit the whole facility). This will enable the KSBs associated with the following areas to be assessed:
The EPAO must give an apprentice 14 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 120 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 ask at least 8 questions. Follow-up questions are allowed where clarification is required.
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 must make the grading decision.
The independent assessor must keep accurate records of the assessment. They must record:
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 should take place in a quiet room, free from distractions and influence. Additional venue requirements include:
The EPAO will be required to put protocols in place to ensure that disruptions from any external parties during the professional discussion are minimised.
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 supported by a portfolio of evidence and facility walk:
The EPAO must ensure that the EPA materials are subject to quality assurance procedures including standardisation and moderation.
The EPA methods contribute equally to the overall EPA grade.
Performance in the EPA will determine the apprenticeship grade of:
Independent assessors must individually grade the: written test, project, presentation and questions and professional discussion supported by a portfolio of evidence and facility walk according to the requirements set out in this EPA plan.
EPAOs must combine the individual assessment method grades to determine the overall EPA grade.
Apprentices who fail one or more assessment method will be awarded an overall EPA fail.
Apprentices must achieve at least a pass in all the EPA methods to get an overall pass. In order to achieve an overall EPA ‘merit’, apprentices must achieve a pass in one assessment method and a distinction in the other two assessment methods. In order to achieve an overall EPA ‘distinction’, apprentices must achieve a distinction in all three assessment methods.
Grades from individual assessment methods should be combined in the following way to determine the grade of the EPA as a whole.
An apprentice who fails one or more assessment method(s) 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.
An apprentice should have a supportive action plan to prepare for a re-sit or a re-take.
The employer and EPAO agree the timescale for a re-sit or re-take. A re-sit is typically taken within 3 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 4 months of the EPA outcome notification.
If the apprentice fails the 1st component (project report) of the Project, presentation and questions assessment method, they will be required to amend the project report in line with the independent assessor's feedback. The apprentice will be given 3 weeks to rework and submit the amended report.Component 2 (Presentation and questions) should then be undertaken.If the apprentice fails component 2 then usual re-sit conditions apply as they will have been deemed to have failed the assessment method.
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.
An apprentice will get a maximum EPA grade of pass for a re-sit or re-take, unless the EPAO determines there are exceptional circumstances.
The EPAO must have reasonable adjustments arrangements for the EPA.
This should include:
Adjustments must maintain the validity, reliability and integrity of the EPA as outlined in this EPA plan.
Internal quality assurance refers to how EPAOs ensure valid, consistent and reliable EPA decisions. EPAOs must adhere to the requirements within the roles and responsibilities section and:
1. before they conduct an EPA for the first time
2. if the EPA is updated
3. periodically as appropriate (a minimum of annually)
Affordability of the EPA will be aided by using at least some of the following:
This apprenticeship standard is designed to prepare successful apprentices to meet the requirements for registration as a:
British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) full member
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