End-point assessment (EPA) is the final stage of an apprenticeship. It provides an objective evaluation of an apprentice’s knowledge, skills, and behaviours to confirm that they are fully competent in their occupational role. The EPA is carried out by an independent organisation to ensure fairness and consistency across all apprenticeships.
As a registered End Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO), Icon provides independent validation that an apprentice has met all the requirements of the Apprenticeship Standard for their programme.
Once the apprentice has completed all the required training for their apprenticeship - known as the gateway - they will progress to the End Point Assessment process. This stage, which can take up to six months, follows the End Point Assessment Plans developed by the relevant trailblazer groups.
Icon deliveres End Point Assessment for the following apprenticeship standards:
Collections technician
Collections Technicians are specialist practitioners who support the conservation, preparation, planning, and technical and operational delivery of collections and exhibitions.
Assessment Methods
Professional Discussion
The Professional Discussion is a formal, two-way conversation between the apprentice and the independent assessor. It lasts 60 minutes (with up to six additional minutes if required).
The discussion is underpinned by the apprentice’s portfolio of evidence, which informs the assessor’s questions and enables the apprentice to illustrate their knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs) in practice. The assessor will ask a minimum of ten questions based on the portfolio content.
The discussion normally takes place online (via Zoom or Teams) but may also be conducted in person if required. Apprentices must have their portfolio accessible during the assessment.
Presentation
The Presentation allows the apprentice to showcase two distinct projects completed during the final four months of their apprenticeship. The nature of the projects depends on the chosen pathway:
- Museum and Gallery Technicians: projects focus on object installation.
- Conservation Technicians: projects focus on treatment and/or preventive conservation.
The Presentation lasts 20 minutes, followed by a 40-minute question and answer session with the assessor (60 minutes in total, with up to six additional minutes if required).
The Q&A explores the apprentice’s presentation in more depth and ensures that all required KSBs are fully covered.
Gateway
Before the End-Point Assessment (EPA) can take place, the following evidence must be submitted:
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Confirmation of readiness for the apprentice to undertake the EPA.
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Portfolio of evidence to support the Professional Discussion.
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Title and details of two projects completed during the final four months of the apprenticeship (these will also support the Professional Discussion).
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Evidence of Level 2 English and mathematics qualifications if the apprentice was aged 16–18 at the start of their apprenticeship.
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For apprentices with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) or a legacy statement, the minimum requirement is Entry Level 3 in English and maths.
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British Sign Language (BSL) qualifications are accepted as an alternative to English qualifications where BSL is the apprentice’s primary language.
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Costs
End Point Assessment Fee
£1,400
Resit Costs*
Professional Discussion: £550
Profect: £450
Remark
Professional Discussion: £350
Profect: £350
*It is the employer’s decision as to whether an apprentice re-sits or re-takes their end-point assessment. The employer is responsible for all reassessment costs.
Cultural heritage conservator
Conservators are specialist practitioners working to protect, preserve and conserve objects or collections of objects housed in archives, art galleries, libraries, museums, private collections, as well as historic and ancient sites. They may also undertake work related to the internal and external features of buildings, such as historic decorative interiors, stained glass windows and sculpture. Conservators combine practical skills with knowledge of art history, architecture, science, changing fashions and lifestyles to understand the context of the objects they work with, and to conserve them sensitively and appropriately.
Assessment Methods
Professional Discussion
The Professional Discussion, supported by a portfolio of evidence, provides apprentices with the opportunity to discuss their work and experiences. This assessment enables apprentices to demonstrate the underpinning knowledge and skills of conservation that allow them to work effectively as conservators.
Project and Question & Answer
Apprentices will complete a project based on a specific object, collection, or area of work undertaken during their apprenticeship. This requirement applies equally across all areas of conservation practice.
The project is followed by a short question and answer session with the assessor, designed to explore the apprentice’s project in more depth and to confirm their understanding of the required criteria.
Gateway Requirements
- Completed an MA or MSc in conservation
- Employer’s confirmation that the apprentice is working at or above the level in the occupational standard.
- English and mathematics qualifications at Level 2. For those with an education, health and care plan or a legacy statement the apprenticeships English and maths minimum requirement is Entry Level 3 and British Sign Language qualification are an alternative to English qualifications for whom this is their primary language.
- A portfolio of evidence. Apprentices will then need to have completed and submitted a portfolio of evidence which is used to support the professional discussion in the end point assessment.
- A project proposal. Apprentices will also need to have completed a project proposal which details the project which they will submit as part of the EPA.
Costs
End Point Assessment Fee
£2,500
Resit Costs*
Professional Discussion: £700
Project: £500
Remark
Professional Discussion: £350
Project: £350
*It is the employer’s decision as to whether an apprentice re-sits or re-takes their end-point assessment. The employer is responsible for all reassessment costs.
Stained glass craftsperson
Stained Glass Craftspeople are specialist practitioners who undertake the research, design, craft, construction, and installation of stained glass. Their work includes both the conservation and restoration of historic stained glass and the creation of new commissions or architectural projects.
Assessment Methods
Professional Discussion
The Professional Discussion lasts 90 minutes and assesses 20 knowledge, skill, and behaviour (KSB) criteria.
The apprentice is expected to draw on their pre-prepared portfolio of evidence to demonstrate their understanding and application of the criteria under assessment.
Practical Observation
The Practical Observation lasts approximately 4 hours and assesses 24 knowledge, skill, and behaviour (KSB) criteria.
The observation must include the following areas:
- Basic stained glass craft processes
- Waterproofing
- Cutting glass
- Leading processes
- Safely following standard work processes and procedures
- Waste management
Gateway Requirements
Before the End-Point Assessment (EPA) can take place, the following must be confirmed and submitted:
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Employer confirmation that the apprentice is working at, or above, the level required by the occupational standard.
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English and mathematics qualifications at Level 2.
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For apprentices with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) or a legacy statement, the minimum requirement is Entry Level 3 in English and maths.
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British Sign Language (BSL) qualifications are accepted as an alternative to English qualifications where BSL is the apprentice’s primary language.
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Portfolio of evidence. The apprentice must complete and submit a portfolio of evidence, which will be used to support the Professional Discussion during the EPA.
Costs
End Point Assessment Fee
£2,500
Resit Costs*
Professional Discussion: £700
Observation: £500
Remark
Professional Discussion: £350
Observation: £350
*It is the employer’s decision as to whether an apprentice re-sits or re-takes their end-point assessment. The employer is responsible for all reassessment costs.
Assessment centre policies