Contents
Contents
- Introduction and overview
- EPA summary table
- Duration of end-point assessment period
- EPA gateway
- Order of assessment methods
- Project with project report, presentation and questions
- Professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence
- Grading
- Overall EPA grading
- Re-sits and re-takes
- Roles and responsibilities
- Reasonable adjustments
- Internal quality assurance
- Value for money
- Professional recognition
- KSB mapping table
- Mapping of KSBs to grade themes
- Version log
End-point assessment plan
V1.0
Introduction and overview
This document explains the requirements for end-point assessment (EPA) for the human factors specialist apprenticeship. End-point assessment organisations (EPAOs) must follow this when designing and delivering the EPA.
Human factors specialist 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 register of end-point assessment organisations (RoEPAO).
A full-time apprentice typically spends 36 months on-programme (this means in training before the gateway) working towards competence as a human factors specialist. 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 2 assessment methods.
The grades available for each assessment method are:
Assessment method 1 - project with project report, presentation and questions:
- fail
- pass
- distinction
Assessment method 2 - professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence:
- 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
- distinction
EPA summary table
Duration of end-point assessment period
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 6 months.
The expectation is that the EPAO will confirm the gateway requirements are met and the EPA begins as quickly as possible.
EPA gateway
The apprentice’s employer must be content that the apprentice has attained sufficient KSBs to complete the apprenticeship. 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 maths qualifications in line with the apprenticeship funding rules
- completed and passed all credit carrying modules of the Masters degree in human factors apart from the final module which will form the EPA.
For the project with report, presentation and questioning apprentices must submit: project title and scope
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. A brief project summary must be submitted to the EPAO. It should be no more than 500 words. This needs to show that the project will provide the opportunity for the apprentice to cover the KSBs mapped to this EPA method. It is not assessed.
- submit a portfolio of evidence for the professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence
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 10 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:
- workplace documentation, for example:
- workplace policies, procedures and records
- witness statements
- annotated photographs
- video clips (maximum total duration 10 minutes); the apprentice must be in view and identifiable
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 the gateway evidence to their EPAO, including any organisation specific policies and procedures requested by the EPAO.
Order of assessment methods
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.
Project with project report, presentation and questions
Overview
A project involves the apprentice completing a significant and defined piece of work that has a real business application and benefit. The project must meet the needs of the employer’s business and be relevant to the apprentice’s occupation and apprenticeship.
This assessment method has 2 components:
project with a project output
presentation with questions and answers
Together, these components give the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this assessment method. They are assessed by an independent assessor.
Rationale
This EPA method is being used for the following reasons:
- because it replicates the project-based approach adopted in the workplace
- this method can evidence a broad range of knowledge and skills
- the occupation requires individuals to produce and present project work on a frequent basis.
Delivery
The apprentice must complete a project based on any of the following:
the application of a Human Centered Design (HCD) process to include the development, evaluation, or improvement of a product, system or organisation. The application of the HCD process could occur at any point in the lifecycle from developing design concepts through to evaluating in-service equipment, systems or processes. For example, the project could be based upon:
- design, development and assessment of a prototype User Interface for a ship command and control system or medical device
- evaluation of an extant power plant or rail control room and development and assessment of recommendations for equipment, organisational and process improvements
- evaluation and iteration of a vehicle design using Computer Aided Design tools and/or physical prototypes to ensure physical accommodation of the intended user group.
In line with a HCD process the project should be underpinned by appropriate Human Factors principles, analysis and methodologies to:
- identify and understand the context of use including the intended users, tasks and environments.
- identify user needs and specify user requirements for the product, system or organisation
- develop design solutions or recommendations for design improvement
- conduct human centred evaluation of design solutions with quantitative and qualitative methods
- engage with users to inform each stage of the HCD process.
To ensure the project allows the apprentice to meet the KSBs mapped to this assessment 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 EPAO must refer to the grading descriptors to ensure that projects are pitched appropriately.
The project output must be in the form of a report and presentation.
The apprentice must start the project after the gateway. The employer should ensure the apprentice has the time and resources, within the project period, to plan and complete their project.
The apprentice may work as part of a team to complete the project, which could include internal colleagues or technical experts. The apprentice must however, complete their project report and presentation unaided and they must be reflective of their own role and contribution. The apprentice and their employer must confirm this when the report and any presentation materials are submitted.
Component 1: Project report
The report must include at least:
- the project aims and objectives
- the project plan
- a description of the processes and methods applied
- a description of the outputs of each project phase including rationale and results of any analysis, design or evaluation activities performed
- a conclusion and discussion of project outcomes and recommendations.
The project report must have a word count of 10000 words. A tolerance of 10% above or below is allowed at the apprentice’s discretion. Appendices, references and diagrams are not included in this total. The apprentice must produce and include a mapping in an appendix, showing how the report evidences the KSBs mapped to this assessment method.
The apprentice must complete and submit the report and any presentation materials to the EPAO by the end of week 20 of the EPA period.
Component 2: Presentation with questions
The presentation with questions must be structured to give the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this assessment method to the highest available grade.
The apprentice must prepare and deliver a presentation to an independent assessor. After the presentation, the independent assessor must ask the apprentice questions about their project, report and presentation.
The presentation should cover:
- an overview of the project
- the project scope (including key performance indicators)
- summary of actions undertaken by the apprentice
- project outcomes and how these were achieved
The presentation with questions must last 60 minutes. This will typically include a presentation of 25 minutes and questioning lasting 35 minutes. The independent assessor must use the full time available for questioning. The independent assessor can increase the time of the presentation 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 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 purpose of the independent assessor's questions is:
- to verify that the activity was completed by the apprentice
- to seek clarification where required
- to assess those KSBs that the apprentice did not have the opportunity to demonstrate with the report, although these should be kept to a minimum
- to assess level of competence against the grading descriptors
The apprentice must submit any presentation materials to the EPAO at the same time as the report - by the end of week 20 of the EPA period. The apprentice must notify the EPAO, at that point, of any technical requirements for the presentation.
During the presentation, 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 2 weeks to review the project report and any presentation materials, to allow them to prepare questions.
The apprentice must be given at least 2 days’ notice of the presentation with questions.
Assessment decision
The independent assessor must make the grading decision. They must assess the project components holistically when deciding the grade.
The independent assessor must keep accurate records of the assessment. They must record:
- the KSBs demonstrated in the report and presentation with questions
- the apprentice’s answers to questions
- the grade achieved
Assessment location
The presentation with questions must take place in a suitable venue selected by the EPAO for example, the EPAO’s or employer’s premises. It should take place in a quiet room, free from distractions and influence.
The presentation with questions 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 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.
EPAO must produce the following materials to support the project:
- 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.
Professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence
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.
The apprentice can refer to and illustrate their answers with evidence from their portfolio of evidence.
Rationale
This EPA method is being used because it can synoptically assess knowledge, skills and behaviours. This method also helps to assess their in-depth understanding of their work and covers aspects of the occupation that are difficult to observe and take place in restricted and confidential settings. This is a consistent method that applies across work settings in the industry. It is reflective of industry best practice for reporting orally on work and justifying decisions taken. It also replicates the approach taken to reviewing candidate performance used in industry. Furthermore:
- it allows the apprentice to be assessed against KSBs that do not naturally occur in the project
- it allows assessment of some KSBs which may not naturally occur in every workplace or may take too long to observe to be assessed.
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 is to ensure that the apprentice can evidence the KSBs assigned to the assessment method and to provide opportunity for them to show depth and breadth of coverage and, where they are able, to demonstrate the distinction criteria.
The themes of the professional discussion will cover the following:
- leadership and professional behaviours
- core technical knowledge
- human factors methodologies
- human factors practice
The EPAO must give an apprentice 2 weeks' 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 ask at least 8 questions. 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. Follow-up questions are allowed where clarification is required.
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 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 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 by a portfolio of evidence:
- 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.
Grading
Overall EPA grading
The EPA methods contribute equally to the overall EPA grade.
Performance in the EPA will determine the apprenticeship grade of:
- fail
- pass
- distinction
Independent assessors must individually grade the: project with project report, presentation and questions and professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence 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 ‘distinction’, apprentices must achieve a distinction in both assessment methods.
Grades from individual assessment methods should be combined in the following way to determine the grade of the EPA as a whole.
Re-sits and re-takes
Apprentices who fail one or more EPA method(s) can take a re-sit or a re-take at the 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.
Apprentices 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 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 EPA 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 apprentices 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.
Roles and responsibilities
Reasonable adjustments
The EPAO must have reasonable adjustments arrangements for the EPA.
This should include:
- how an apprentice qualifies for 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.
Internal quality assurance
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:
- have effective and rigorous quality assurance systems and procedures that ensure fair, reliable and consistent EPA regardless of employer, place, time or independent assessor
- appoint independent assessors who are competent to deliver the EPA and who:
- have recent relevant experience of the occupation or sector to at least occupational level 7 gained in the last 3 years or significant experience of the occupation or sector
- hold, or are working towards, an assessor qualification
- have professional body membership with:
Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors (CIEHF)
- meet the following minimum requirements:
ensure appropriate security clearance is gained if required.
- operate induction training for anyone involved in the delivery and/or assessment of the EPA
- provide training for independent assessors in good assessment practice, operating the assessment tools and making grading decisions
- provide ongoing training for markers and invigilators
- provide standardisation activity for this apprenticeship standard for all independent assessors:
- before they conduct an EPA for the first time
- if the EPA is updated
- periodically as appropriate (a minimum of annually)
- conduct effective moderation of EPA decisions and grades
- conduct appeals where required, according to the EPAO’s appeals procedure, reviewing and making final decisions on EPA decisions and grades
- have no direct connection with the apprentice, their employer or training provider. In all instances, including when the EPAO is the training provider (for example a higher education institution)
Value for money
Affordability of the EPA will be aided by using at least some of the following:
- utilising digital remote platforms to conduct applicable assessment methods
- using the employer’s premises
- conducting assessment methods on the same day
Professional recognition
This apprenticeship standard is designed to prepare successful apprentices to meet the requirements for registration as a:
Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors (CIEHF) with Graduate Member
KSB mapping table
Mapping of KSBs to grade themes
Version log
Version | Change detail | Earliest start date | Latest start date |
---|---|---|---|
1.0 | Approved for delivery | 11/05/2023 | Not set |
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