Blog

In our EPA blog, you’ll find everything you need to know about end point assessment, including news, tips and frequently asked questions.

1st for EPA Triumphs at The Great British Entrepreneur Awards
Company news
Helen Shinner, Founder of 1st for EPA, has been awarded Service Industries Entrepreneur of the Year for the North East at The Allica Bank Great British Entrepreneur Awards. Recognised annually as one of the most prestigious accolades in the entrepreneurial world, The Allica Bank Great British Entrepreneur Awards received over 5,000 applications this year alone. …
Troubleshooting: User cannot log in to epaPRO
For providers, coaches & employers
Do you have a user who cannot log in to epaPRO? This guide will take you through some of the most common issues and how to resolve them quickly. Step 1: Check the URL and username Firstly, if a user is having issues logging in to epaPRO, do confirm with them the URL they are …
1st for EPA is a Certified B Corp
Company news
Our End Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO) has become a Certified B Corp. We achieved the impressive certification this month. What is B Corp Certification? B Corp Certification is a designation that shows a business is meeting high standards of performance, accountability, and transparency. This is verified, using factors from employee benefits and charitable giving to …
The Black Apprentice Network share their stories
For apprentices For providers, coaches & employers
The Black Apprentice Network, along with Amazing Apprenticeships, have shared a collection of apprentice stories and experiences. In the video below, two of the BAN founders, Kwesi Bimpong and Rubin Aboagye-Poku, give an introduction. The inspirational stories shared are from current and past apprentices who are members of the Black Apprentice Network. Their apprenticeships are …
Using of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in EPA
For apprentices For providers, coaches & employers
With the use of artificial intelligence (AI) becoming more prominent, 1st for EPA has set out rules for its use in end point assessment (EPA). This guidance applies to apprentices using 1st for EPA; other EPAOs will issue their own guidance. Apprentices should not use AI to generate content that they will present as their …
New Standards launched for EPA
Company news
We’re one of the fastest growing EPAOs in the country, and we’re delighted to announce we now assess two new standards: Business Analyst level 4 Senior Leader level 7 With Ofqual recognition in place across all our standards, we started offering end point assessment for Business Analyst and Senior Leader in May 2023. At 1st …
What is the APAR Register?
For providers, coaches & employers
The APAR is the government’s new, single register, that lists all apprenticeship training providers and end point assessment organisations (EPAOs). The APAR was announced in May 2023 and is set to go live from 1 August 2023. Previously, there have been two registers – with apprenticeship training providers appearing on the RoATP (Register of Apprenticeship …
Employers: How to support your apprentices through EPA
For providers, coaches & employers
Gateway is not the end of the apprenticeship – your apprentices still need you to support them through their end point assessment (EPA). Here are our top tips on how employers can support apprentices through their EPA. 1. Read the guidance When Training Providers register your apprentices with us, they will be able to share …
Case Study: Mollie, Junior Content Producer Apprentice
Case studies
Name: Mollie Maclean Company: Newbury Building Society Apprenticeship standard: Junior Content Producer Training Provider: AS Training Result: Distinction Which apprenticeship did you do and why did you choose it? When the Junior Content Producer apprenticeship was mentioned to me, I instantly knew that being new to the industry, it was going to be a great …
Meet the EPAO – Online – March 2023
Company news For providers, coaches & employers
1st for EPA is holding a Meet the EPAO event for training providers and employers. We invite employers and training providers who haven’t worked with us before to meet our team and find out what makes us an award-winning, Ofqual-recognised EPAO that’s rated Excellent on Trustpilot. We’ll share the guidance and support we have to make the EPA process easy for apprentices, training …
Celebrating Apprentice Achievement
Company news
We recently asked a client to speak at one of webinars and give providers and employers an insight into what it’s like working with 1st for EPA. Something she said really stuck out to us: “I’ve loved using you, it’s a real pleasure to put learners through to EPA. Something that you do really, really …
Apprentice Wellbeing Hub launched
Company news For apprentices For providers, coaches & employers
Today, 1st for EPA have launched our new Apprentice Wellbeing Hub to support apprentices’ mental health and wellbeing. The free resource is the first of its kind aimed solely at apprentices. It combines resources to support apprentices through challenges in their apprenticeship, answer common apprentice questions, and provide direction on where to find further support. …