Fenestration fabricator

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

Fenestration fabricator apprentices, their employers and training providers should read this document.

A full-time fenestration fabricator apprentice typically spends 18 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 2 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 2 assessment methods.

The grades available for each assessment method are below.

Assessment method 1 - observation with question and answer session:

• fail

• pass

• distinction

Assessment method 2 - multiple-choice test:

• 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 2 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

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 observation with question and answer session, an independent assessor observes the apprentice in their workplace and asks questions. The apprentice completes their day to day duties under normal working conditions, simulation is not allowed. Following the observation the independent assessor will hold the question and answer session to assess discreet KSBs. 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
• it can assess KSBs holistically
• it should give employers assurance about an apprentice’s competence as it takes place in a real work setting the familiar environment should allow the apprentice to perform at their best
• it is cost effective, tasks completed during the observation should contribute to workplace productivity and it makes use of the employer’s resources and equipment

Delivery

The observation with question and answer session 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 with question and answer session.

The independent assessor must only observe one apprentice at a time to ensure quality and rigour. They must be as unobtrusive as possible.

The EPAO must give the apprentice 14 days' notice of the observation with question and answer session.

The observation with question and answer session must take 4.5 hours.

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

The observation with question and answer session may be split into discrete sections held on the same working day.

The EPAO must manage invigilation of the apprentice during the assessment, to maintain security of the EPA, in line with their malpractice policy. This includes breaks and moving between locations.

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

The observation contains two components:

• component one: observation with questions
• component two: question and answer session

Component one: observation with questions (4 hours)

The independent assessor should observe the following during the observation:

The production of a window or door frame with an opening sash.

The following activities must be observed, as part of the production of a window or door frame with an opening sash, these may relate to the same product or different products.

• read and interpret specifications or other associated documents
• compliance with health and safety, environmental and sustainability and industry regulations, standards and guidance
• selection of materials to meet product specification
• selection of tools, equipment and machinery
• measure, mark and drill fenestration product to specification
• assembly of a fenestration product, requiring at least one joining method to specification
• fitting of beading and ancillary items to a fenestration product, for example locks, handles, hinges
• carry out interim and final inspection
• prepare, maintain and restore the work area on completion of work
• complete handover documentation

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 during the observation. The time for questions asked during the observation is included in the overall assessment time. The independent assessor must ask at least 3 questions during the observation. To remain as unobtrusive as possible, the independent assessor should ask questions during natural stops between tasks rather than disrupting the apprentice’s flow. Follow-up questions are allowed where clarification is required. The independent assessor must use the questions from the EPAO’s question bank.

Component two: question and answer session (30 minutes)

The purpose of the assessors questions is to assess the following themes

• communication
• escalation
• EDI and CPD

The independent assessor should ask a minimum of 4 questions (these are in addition to the 3 questions to be asked during the observation). 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 observation 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
• the KSBs demonstrated in answers to questions
• the grade achieved

Assessment location

The observation with question and answer session must take place in the apprentice’s normal place of work for example, their employer’s premises or a customer’s premises. Equipment and resources needed for the observation must be provided by the employer and be in good and safe working order.

Questioning that occurs after the observation should take place in a suitable environment, for example 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 produce the following materials to support the observation with question and answer session:

• 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 multiple-choice test, the apprentice answers questions in a controlled and invigilated environment. It gives the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge mapped to this assessment method.

Rationale

This assessment method is being used because:

• it can assess knowledge
• it is easy to administer
• it can be conducted remotely and administered to multiple apprentices at the same time, potentially reducing cost

Delivery

The multiple-choice test must be structured to give the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge mapped to this assessment method to the highest available grade.

The test can be computer or paper based.

The test will consist of 30 multiple-choice questions.

Multiple-choice questions must have four options, including one correct answer.

The apprentice must be given at least 14 days’ notice of the date and time of the test.

Test administration

The apprentice must have 60 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 test must be taken in the presence of an invigilator who is the responsibility of the EPAO. 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’s identity and ensure invigilation of the apprentice for example, with 360-degree cameras and screen sharing facilities.

The EPAO is responsible for the security of the test including the arrangements for on-line testing. The EPAO must ensure that their security arrangements maintain the validity and reliability of the test.

Marking

The test must be marked by an independent assessor or marker employed by the EPAO. They must follow a marking scheme produced by the EPAO. Marking by computer is allowed where question types support this.

A correct answer gets 1 mark.

Any incorrect or missing answers get zero marks.

The EPAO is responsible for overseeing the marking of the test.

Assessment location

The apprentice must take the 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 test can take place remotely if the appropriate technology and systems are in place to prevent malpractice.

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 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.    

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 test:

• assessment materials for independent assessors and markers which includes:
  
  • training materials
  • administration materials
  • moderation and standardisation materials
  • guidance materials
  • grading guidance
  • test specification
  • sample test and mark schemes
  • live tests and mark schemes
  • 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 observation with question and answer session in line with this EPA plan.

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 a merit, the apprentice must achieve a pass in the multiple-choice test and a distinction in the observation. To achieve an overall EPA distinction, the apprentice must gain a distinction in all the 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 2 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.

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 if pass they need to re-sit or re-take one or more assessment methods, unless the EPAO determines there are exceptional circumstances.

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 3 gained in the last 3 years or significant experience of the occupation or sector

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

• completing applicable assessment methods online, for example computer-based assessment

• assessing multiple apprentices simultaneously where the assessment method permits this

• using the employer’s premises

• conducting assessment methods on the same day

This apprenticeship is not aligned to professional recognition.