How we make EPA easy

Here’s why employers and training providers choose 1st for EPA as their end point assessment organisation (EPAO):

  • Support icon

    Support and guidance

    from registration to completion.

  • Resource bank icon

    Resource bank

    and guidance notes for each apprenticeship standard.

  • Experienced assessors icon

    Experienced assessors

    with in-depth knowledge of end point assessments.

  • Friendly team icon

    Friendly team

    to answer all your questions.

  • Remote EPA icon

    Remote EPA

    so apprentices can undergo end point assessment from anywhere in the UK.

  • Certificate icon

    We claim your certificate

    on completion of your apprenticeship.

What is EPA?

End point assessment, or EPA, is the process of assessing an apprentice as they approach the end of their apprenticeship. Once all on-programme learning is complete, the apprentice goes through the Gateway stage into the EPA stage. This is where an independent EPA organisation (known as an EPAO) carries out assessment according to the apprenticeship standard’s assessment plan. Every EPAO must be on the Register of End Point Assessment Organisations.

HR end point assessment

The standards we assess

How does EPA work?

  • The apprentice’s employer chooses an end point assessment organisation (EPAO), often with the help of their training provider.

  • The training provider registers the apprentice with the EPAO, giving an expected date for EPA.

  • The apprentice completes Gateway and schedules their EPA.

  • 1st for EPA provides full support and guidance to help the apprentice prepare for EPA.

  • EPA is carried out with a qualified assessor.

  • 1st for EPA carries out quality checks, then notifies the apprentice of their results and claims their completion certificate from the ESFA.

Register your interest in these standards

Register your interest

Latest blogs

View all
  • interview

    Preparing Apprentices for EPA: Interviews and Professional Discussions

    Interviews and professional discussions are common in EPA. They are part of end point assessment (EPA) for standards including Business Administrator, Digital Marketer, Marketing Manager, Marketing Executive, Marketing Assistant, HR Consultant and Partner and HR Support. Here’s our Training Provider Guide of what interviews and professional discussions are and how to prepare your apprentices. What ...

  • training provider header

    Preparing Apprentices for EPA: Projects

    Many apprenticeship standards involve a project as part of the end point assessment (EPA), including HR Consultant and Partner, HR Support, Business Administrator, Digital Marketer, Marketing Assistant, Marketing Executive and Marketing Manager. Here’s our Training Provider Guide on how to prepare your apprentices for their EPA project. TIPS FOR PLANNING THE EPA PROJECT The key to ...

  • business admin apprenticeship review

    Updates to the Business Administrator Assessment Plan

    The Institute for Apprenticeships has updated the assessment plan for the Business Administrator level 3 apprenticeship standard. The new assessment plan, updated 10th September 2020, can be found here. It has been confirmed that any apprentice registered with a training provider on this standard from 10th September 2020 should be assessed under this version of ...

Before we say bye…

Subscribe to our newsletter to receive updates

You have successfully subscribed to the newsletter

There was an error while trying to send your request. Please try again.

1st for EPA will use the information you provide on this form to be in touch with you and to provide updates and marketing.