1st for EPA is an approved end point assessment organisation (EPAO).
Our mission is to support apprentices to succeed in their apprenticeship.
We do this by making the EPA process easy, providing apprentices with all the support needed to go through EPA and complete their apprenticeship.
This has many wider benefits for apprentices, employers and the economy.
We’re a Certified B Corp
We’re an award-winning EPAO!
• Great British Entrepreneur of the Year (Services industry/North East – MD, Helen Shinner)
• Telegraph & NatWest 100 Female Entrepreneurs to Watch 2022 (MD, Helen Shinner)
• Best New Business 2022 (Tees New Business Awards)
• Best Services Business 2022 (Tees New Business Awards)
• Small Business of the Year 2022 (Tees Businesswomen Awards)
• Best New Business 2021 (Tees Businesswomen Awards)
Our values
As a company, we want to do good. Here are our values:
Support
We support training providers, apprentices, and employers so they know about EPA and what it involves. Transparency is key.
Guidance
We make it clear what apprentices will be expected to demonstrate in their EPA.
Quality and integrity
We strive to do the right thing. We are Ofqual recognised and maintain a reviewing approach to ensure our assessment is fair, valid, and reliable.
Wellbeing
We consider the mental health and wellbeing of the apprentices we work with, and encourage providers and employers to do the same.
Environment
Most of our assessment is remote, and we encourage employers to choose remote assessment where possible. This reduces the impact we have on the environment through travelling and CO2 emissions.
Positive impact
Throughout our business and operations, we aim to have a material positive impact on both society and the environment. This is a key consideration in all decisions.
Why choose us as your EPAO?
Here’s why employers and training providers choose 1st for EPA as their end point assessment organisation (EPAO):
Support and guidance
Full guidance and support is given to apprentices – We’ve created resources that prepare apprentices for EPA so they know what to expect and are ready for their final assessment.
Knowledge base
with guidance, mocks and templates for each apprenticeship standard.
Experienced assessors
All our assessors are experts in the subject they assess. They understand the demands of the apprenticeship and the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to be successful.
Friendly team
Friendly team to answer all your questions.
Remote EPA
and flexible booking for apprentices anywhere in England.
Secure system
to manage and schedule EPA
How we work
We have a simple process for EPA. We make information available to employers and training providers. When an employer selects us, we sign a contract with the training provider. An Account Manager is assigned to deliver training and give support through the EPA process. We have a comprehensive knowledge base, which includes guidance, mocks, templates and more to prepare every apprentice for EPA.
Registrations and bookings are easy – we use EPA Pro to manage the EPA process and create an audit trail.
We make EPA simple, with guidance every step of the way for apprentices, training providers and employers.
How does EPA work?
The training provider recommends an EPAO, often with input from the employer.
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 emails the apprentice their results and claims their completion certificate from the ESFA.
Start working with us
Get in touchThe standards we assess
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Business Administrator End Point Assessment
Level 31st for EPA offers End Point Assessment for the level 3 Business Administrator apprenticeship standard. With our detailed guidance and friendly team, we offer support to give apprentices all the tools they need to succeed in EPA. Learn more about our business admin end point assessment below, or contact us today for more information.
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Business Analyst EPA
Level 4We provide Business Analyst EPA for version 1.1 of the level 4 apprenticeship standard. Our independent assessors are professional business analysts with extensive experience in the field. 1st for EPA works with training providers and employers to help your apprentices succeed. The role of a Business Analyst appeals to employers in all sectors. As a leading end point assessment organisation (EPAO), we support providers and apprentices through the EPA process. If you have Business Analyst apprentices, book a chat today to find out what support we offer.
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Content Creator EPA
Level 31st for EPA offers End Point Assessment for the Content Creator level 3 apprenticeship standard. We have apprentice guidance, training provider feedback and much more to support you through EPA.End Point Assessment Organisations provide conclusive assessments for apprentices in the England. Apprenticeship standards in England include a comprehensive apprenticeship assessment plan, and the EPAO bears the responsibility of ensuring that apprentices attain the requisite standards and competencies upon the conclusion of their training.
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Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Practitioner EPA
Level 4We provide Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Practitioner EPA for the level 4 apprenticeship standard. At 1st for EPA, we have a team of experienced assessors offering full support to help your apprentices succeed. The role of a corporate responsibility and sustainability practitioner is complicated and diverse. Still, with our experience in EPA, you can ensure your apprentices are competent and supported to propel their career. To learn more, book a 30-minute chat with our friendly team to discuss our services further and find out how we work with you to provide efficient and comprehensive EPA solutions.
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Data Analyst End Point Assessment
Level 41st for EPA assesses the level 4 Data Analyst apprenticeship standard.Full guidance, templates and toolkits are available.
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Data Technician End Point Assessment
Level 31st for EPA offers EPA for the level 3 Data Technician apprenticeship standard.Join us for full guidance, employer overviews, provider feedback and more.
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Digital Marketer End Point Assessment
Level 31st for EPA offers Digital Marketer End Point Assessment for the level 3 apprenticeship standard. With great guidance, blogs and videos, we provide apprentices with everything they need to succeed.Here at 1st for EPA, we are your trusted partner when it comes to Digital Marketer End Point Assessments (EPA). We are an accredited End Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO) in England and we specialise in delivering high-quality assessment services tailored to meet the unique needs of digital marketing apprentices and employers alike.
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HR Consultant/Partner End Point Assessment
Level 5At 1st for EPA, we offer End Point Assessment for Human Resources apprenticeships. Our remote EPA supports the HR Consultant apprenticeship standard, and we have a team of experienced assessors and detailed resources to help your apprentices succeed. Contact us for a 30-minute chat, and we can discuss your HR consultant apprenticeship EPA questions.
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HR Support End Point Assessment
Level 3End point assessment for HR apprenticeships with 1st for EPA. We offer end point assessment for the HR Support level 3 standard. Our team has developed support materials, videos and activities to give apprentices all the tools they need to succeed. Get in touch with a member of our expert and friendly team for a 30-minute chat to learn more about why we are the best choice to take your apprenticeships to the next level.
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Junior Content Producer End Point Assessment
Level 31st for EPA offers End Point Assessment for the Junior Content Producer level 3 apprenticeship standard.Guidance, feedback and mocks are available to support apprentices, employers, and training providers.
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Marketing Assistant End Point Assessment
Level 31st for EPA offers End Point Assessment for the Marketing Assistant level 3 apprenticeship standard. Here at 1st for EPA, we provide apprentices and training providers with all the guidance and support they need to succeed in their marketing EPA.
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Marketing Executive End Point Assessment
Level 41st for EPA offers Marketing Executive End Point Assessment for the level 4 apprenticeship standard.We provide apprentices and providers with all the guidance they need to succeed in their EPA.
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Marketing Manager End Point Assessment
Level 61st for EPA offers Marketing Manager End Point Assessment for the level 6 apprenticeship standard.We support employers and training providers to help their apprentices succeed.
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Network Engineer End Point Assessment
Level 41st for EPA offers EPA for the level 4 Network Engineer apprenticeship standard.Join us for full guidance, employer overviews, provider feedback and more.
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PR and Communications Assistant End Point Assessment
Level 41st for EPA offers End Point Assessment for both version 1.0 and version 1.1 of the Public Relations and Communications Assistant level 4 apprenticeship standard.We provide full guidance to support apprentices, employers and training providers through EPA.
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Senior Leader EPA
Level 7End point assessment for Senior Leader. At level 7, this is a degree-level apprenticeship. 1st for EPA provides EPA for versions 1.0, 1.1 and 1.2 of the Senior Leader apprenticeship standard. Our independent assessors have occupational expertise as well as experience with apprenticeships and extensive training in assessment. 1st for EPA works with training providers and employers to help your apprentices succeed in their EPA. On completion, qualified Senior Leaders go on to lead their respective teams to success and grow their organisations. We help Senior Leader apprentices complete the last hurdle of their apprenticeship – the end point assessment.
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Senior People Professional EPA
Level 71st for EPA offers Senior People Professional End Point Assessment for the level 7 apprenticeship standard. We have experienced EPA assessors and offer support, guidance, blogs, and videos, to help apprentices succeed.
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Cyber Security Technician End Point Assessment
Level 31st for EPA is an EPAO for the level 3 Cyber Security Technician apprenticeship standard.Join us for transparent EPA with support, guidance, webinars and more.
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Data Engineer End Point Assessment
Level 51st for EPA assesses the level 5 Data Engineer apprenticeship standard.Choose the leading digital EPAO for full guidance, webinars and resources.
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Digital Support Technician EPA
Level 31st for EPA offers Digital Support Technician EPA for version 1.1 of the level 3 apprenticeship standard.Our independent assessors are professional digital and infrastructure engineers with extensive experience in the field. 1st for EPA works with training providers and employers to help your Digital Support Technician apprentices succeed at EPA. 1st for EPA is a leading end point assessment organisation (EPAO), we support providers and apprentices through the EPA process. If you have Digital Support Technician apprentices, book a chat today to find out what support we offer.Join us for full guidance, employer overviews, provider feedback and more.
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Information Communications Technician End Point Assessment
Level 31st for EPA offers Information Communications Technician EPA for the level 3 apprenticeship standard, for both versions 1.0 and 1.1.Apprentices who started on programme on or after 25 May 2023 will be on version 1.1. Other apprentices are likely to be on version 1.0 unless their provider has moved them to version 1.0.Join us for full guidance, employer overviews, provider feedback and more.
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IT Solutions Technician End Point Assessment
Level 31st for EPA is an EPAO for the level 3 IT Solutions Technician apprenticeship standard.Join the expert digital EPAO for transparent EPA with support, guidance, webinars and more.
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Multi-Channel Marketer End Point Assessment
Level 3Multi-Channel Marketer End Point Assessment with 1st for EPA, the supportive EPAO.
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Operations Manager End Point Assessment
Level 51st for EPA is an EPAO for the level 5 Operations Manager apprenticeship standard. This includes the previous version, Operations or Departmental Manager.Choose 1st for EPA for transparent end point assessment with support, guidance, webinars and more.
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People Professional EPA
Level 51st for EPA offers People Professional End Point Assessment for the level 5 apprenticeship standard. People Professional is the latest version, v1.3, of the level 5 HR apprenticeship. The previous version was known as HR Consultant/Partner.We provide account managers, support and guidance to help apprentices succeed.
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Software Developer End Point Assessment
Level 41st for EPA is an EPAO for the level 4 Software Developer apprenticeship standard.Join us for support, guidance, webinars and more.
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Software Development Technician End Point Assessment
Level 31st for EPA is an EPAO for the level 3 Software Development Technician apprenticeship standard.Join us for support, guidance, webinars and more.
