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People Professional
Level 5 (1.3)

The People Professional Apprenticeship End Point Assessment (EPA) Explained

As an Ofqual-recognised End Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO), Elevate supports your People Professional apprenticeship End Point Assessment (EPA) needs. We provide practical assistance and clear guidance to ensure apprentices are well-prepared for their EPA success. Explore the details of this assessment below, or contact us for more information.

The role of People Professional is found in organisations of all sizes and sectors. In smaller organisations, the role may have a broader scope, covering a wider range of responsibilities. People Professionals are crucial in helping businesses achieve their strategic objectives by advancing the people's agenda. They are responsible for activities such as attracting, recruiting, developing, and retaining talent, managing payroll and benefits, supporting positive employee relations, and ensuring compliance with employment laws.

The primary purpose of this role is to help the business achieve its goals through people-focused initiatives. People Professionals use their expertise to provide advice, insights, and challenges to the business, allowing them to participate in a wide range of projects and tasks.

On a daily basis, an employee in this role advises and coaches on interpreting policies and employment laws, supports people-related aspects of business projects, and collaborates with stakeholders within the People function and across the organisation, as well as with external partners when necessary.

This role requires interaction with various levels within the organisation, from HR to other business areas. Strong communication, influence, and negotiation skills are essential, as well as making decisions based on evidence.

An employee in this occupation may be responsible for developing and implementing a people plan to support the business’s objectives, recommending actions in specific situations, and supporting managers and leaders in executing their people strategies. They use data to identify trends and issues and create solutions to address them. Staying informed about both internal and external environments and their impacts is crucial, as is contributing to the review and design of people policies and processes to ensure compliance with legislation. Keeping up to date with emerging trends and thinking in the people field is also a key part of the role.

Professional Recognition: This apprenticeship aligns with the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development for Associate Member.

Timeline: The People Professional Apprenticeship will typically take 18 to 24 months to complete with the end point assessment undertaken in the final 3 months of the apprenticeship.

For additional information about this apprenticeship, check out the People Professional Apprenticeship End Point Assessment Plan.

Assessment methods

Professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio

In the discussion, the independent assessor and the apprentice have a formal two-way conversation.

The apprentice can refer to and illustrate their answers with evidence from their portfolio of evidence. It gives the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate their competency across the knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs) mapped to this EPA method.

Project with presentation and questioning

The project is a key part of the apprenticeship, where the apprentice completes a significant piece of work that benefits the business. It begins after the apprentice passes the gateway and is designed to showcase the skills, knowledge, and behaviours (KSBs) needed for their role.

The project should align with the employer's business needs and be relevant to the apprentice's job and training. The End-Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO) must ensure the project allows the apprentice to demonstrate their KSBs to the highest possible standard, using grading criteria to set the right level.

This assessment method has two parts:

The project, including a project output.
A presentation followed by questions and answers.

What's the process for EPA?

Gateway

What does Gateway mean?

Gateway is a crucial stage that marks the transition from the on-program learning phase of an apprenticeship to the final assessment phase. It is the point where both the employer and the training provider agree that the apprentice has acquired the necessary knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs) outlined in their apprenticeship standard and is ready to undertake the End Point Assessment (EPA). Gateway is essentially a readiness check, ensuring that the apprentice is prepared and has met all the prerequisites, such as achieving required qualifications, completing mandatory training and demonstrating competency in their role. This step is vital for setting up the apprentice for success in their final assessments.

To be all set for the EPA, People Professional apprentices need to meet these requirements:

Have achieved a minimum of Level 2 English and maths. For those with an education, health and care plan or a legacy statement the apprenticeship 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.

Completed all workplace learning and off-the-job training as evidence of the potential to demonstrate professional competence in relation to the required knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs) of the standard. The apprentice should only be recommended for EPA when the employer is confident that the apprentice is occupationally competent and ready to undertake EPA.

Apprentices must submit a Portfolio of Evidence to their EPAO, which will underpin the Professional Discussion end-point assessment method.

The EPAO should sign off the work-based project proposal’s title and scope to confirm its suitability at the gateway

Fully remote and accessible

With Elevate, apprentices complete their End Point Assessment (EPA) for the People Professional Apprenticeship remotely. This flexibility allows apprentices to choose convenient scheduling options, whether during regular office hours or outside them. By providing a remote EPA, Elevate ensures that apprentices have the convenience and flexibility they need to succeed.

Information, advice and guidance

We provide comprehensive Guidance and Information Handbooks for the People Professional Apprenticeship, ensuring apprentices are fully informed and prepared. Additionally, our onboarding sessions for training providers cover all aspects of the End Point Assessment (EPA) process, including timelines and best practices. To further support apprentices, employers and providers, we offer a detailed Information, Advice and Guidance video, which includes a section on our 'Hot Tips', to help navigate every step of the apprenticeship journey.

Clear prices, no surprises

Elevate's EPA services are priced fairly and competitively and we always ensure our fees remain below the maximum 20% of the total apprenticeship cost. A pre-EPA fee is charged during the contracting phase to secure support materials and assessment booking. The remaining balance for the EPA is charged upon Gateway entry and EPA booking. Elevate caters to all group sizes and we offer a flexible approach to pricing, tailored to larger groups.

Browse our online guide to understand the distinction between a re-sit and a retake. For additional details, reach out to our team today. Please note VAT is charged for a re-sit and a re-take as these fees are not covered by the apprenticeship funding.

Here's what your investment brings

A flexible and highly responsive service
Comprehensive support for apprentices, employers and training providers across all the standards we assess. This includes employer EPA onboarding and scheduling meetings, standard-specific apprentice Information and Guidance Handbooks, a flexible booking system and Information, Advice, and Guidance (IAG) videos.
All apprentices receive performance feedback within 25 working days of assessment. Detailed feedback reports provided to apprentices.