The Learning and Skills Mentor Apprenticeship Assessment Explained
This occupation is found across public, private and voluntary sectors, including national and multinational organisations. Learning and Skills Mentors are needed in any sector where training and development takes place – from healthcare, education and the military to construction, technology, creative industries, business, and beyond.
The purpose of this role is to support individuals and groups with their learning and development, helping them progress towards agreed goals. Mentors work within ethical and legal frameworks to ensure professional practice and collaborate with stakeholders to meet mentee needs inclusively. They also commit to ongoing development and reflective practice – both as mentors and within their wider professional roles.
Learning and Skills Mentors typically operate as the “knowledgeable other” in their environment. Their work may be delivered face-to-face or remotely, and across a range of locations.
In their day-to-day work, they:
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Interact with people at all levels – including trainees, supervisors, experienced colleagues and external professionals
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Maintain responsibility for the mentoring relationship, operating within ethical, legal and organisational boundaries
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Deliver work to a specification and deadline, with minimal supervision
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Champion best practice and help others progress
Timeline
The apprenticeship typically takes 12 months to complete, with assessment typically taking place in the final 3 months.
For additional information about this apprenticeship Assessment check out the Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship Assessment Plan.
Gateway
What is Gateway?
Gateway marks the transition from learning to assessment. It’s the point where the employer and training provider confirm the apprentice has developed the required knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs) and is ready for final assessment.
To be eligible for assessment, apprentices must have:
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Achieved Level 2 English and maths
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Note: This is required for apprentices aged 16–18. For those aged 19+, it may not be mandatory if agreed with the employer and noted in the training plan.
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Completed all workplace and off-the-job training
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A portfolio of evidence for the professional discussion, compiled and mapped to the assessment criteria
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Been confirmed as occupationally competent by their employer
assessment
All Elevate assessments are delivered remotely, with flexible scheduling to meet provider and apprentice needs – whether during or outside of standard hours.
Information, advice and guidance
We guide apprentices, employers, and training providers through every stage of the EPA process, from onboarding and guidance to practical support and post-assessment insights. This includes:
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Onboarding sessions covering timelines and best practice
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Standard-specific Guidance Handbooks
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Information, Advice and Guidance video with practical tips for success
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Post-assessment review meetings with training providers, offering data-driven insights to strengthen teaching, demonstrate apprentice readiness, and provide evidence for Ofsted
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Access to our articles, ‘Elevate Perspectives’, sharing insights, tips, and thought leadership on apprenticeships and EPA
Transparent pricing
Our prices are clear, competitive and compliant – always below the maximum 20% cap of the overall apprenticeship cost.
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The full fee for the Level 4 Learning and Skills Mentor Assessment is £750 and is charged upon Gateway entry
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We accommodate all group sizes, with tailored options for larger cohorts
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We’re happy to discuss flexible pricing if needed
Assessment methods
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Observation with questions
An independent assessor observes the apprentice in their workplace during a live 30-minute mentoring session. The apprentice also provides two additional 30-minute recorded mentoring sessions. These are reviewed by the assessor on the day of assessment.
Following the observation, the assessor asks competency-based questions.
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Total duration: 2 hours
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Observation: 90 minutes
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Questioning: 30 minutes
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Simulation is not permitted
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Professional Conversation underpinned by a portfolio of evidence
A 60-minute structured conversation between the apprentice and the assessor. Apprentices draw on their portfolio of evidence to support their answers, demonstrating the required knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs). The portfolio itself is not assessed but is used as a reference during the discussion.
Our Assessment Process
LEVEL 4 LEARNING AND SKILLS MENTOR (v1.2)
What your investment includes
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A flexible, responsive assessment service
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Structured support for apprentices, employers, and training providers, including onboarding sessions, standard-specific handbooks, guidance videos, post-assessment review meetings, and access to our articles
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Assessment outcomes within 25 working days, with full certification management