Apprenticeship - End Point Assessor - Data Analyst

Reference: EPA/DA/L4

Job description: Independent end-point assessor for Data Analyst LEVEL 4

About Pearson

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Overview of the independent end-point assessor role

Government has introduced a requirement that all apprenticeships contain an end-point assessment (EPA) which is a holistic assessment of the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviour (KSBs) that have been learnt throughout the apprenticeship. This is to make sure that apprentices meet the rigorous standard set by employers and are fully competent in the relevant occupation. Pearson must provide employers with the confidence that completing an apprenticeship means an individual is fully job-ready and that all apprentices, following the same standard, are assessed consistently, regardless of where they are undertaking their apprenticeship or who they are doing it with.

An independent EPA means that those deciding on the competency of the apprentice have nothing to gain from the outcome of the assessment. To maintain independence within the scope of this EPA, an independent end-point assessor (IEA) can only undertake end-point assessments of apprentices, with whom they have no conflict of interest. This means they must be independent of the registered apprenticeship training provider at which the apprentice completed their on-programme element and must not have been involved in the on-programme training, assessment, or line management of such apprentices.

The end-point assessments will be conducted onsite, or remotely, on dates agreed with employers and/or providers if appropriate. Independent end-point assessors will record and submit the EPA outcomes, with clear justifications for the grading decisions. EPA activities will be quality assured by Pearson quality assurance representatives.

IEAs for these EPAs will be qualified IQAs that meet the occupational profile of the apprentices they are assessing and will be trained, standardised and approved to operate as IEAs. The IEAs will undertake EPAs in line with the associated apprenticeship assessment plan, and the materials provided by Pearson. Please see the below Key Accountabilities and Person Specification sections for further details.

Key Accountabilities:

The independent end-point assessor will:

●Take part in regular training and standardisation activities, associated with the role of independent end-point assessor for this EPA

●Maintain and provide evidence of ongoing, relevant Continuous Professional Development (CPD)

●Assess the performance of candidates in accordance with published assessment and grading criteria and procedures, ensuring overall standards are maintained

●Follow the protocols set out in Pearson’s specifications, assessment materials and quality assurance protocols, relating to the EPAs

●Maintain service-level agreements with regards to responding to EPA planning, operational activities, reports and submissions of assessment outcomes

●Report all risks and issues encountered during the end-point assessment to Pearson, including any suspected malpractice/maladministration

●Ensure all EPA reports and assessment evidence are high quality and recorded accurately

●Support Pearson, if necessary, with any appeals from apprentices, regarding assessment decisions

●Allow additional time for travel, when making EPA arrangements

●Raise any conflicts of interest, including in relation to the independence of assessment

●Ensure that any personal actions are completed, as required by Pearson

●Contribute to the continuous improvement of Pearson’s end-point assessment activities

●Contribute to the external quality assurance activities undertaken by the Institute for Apprenticeships (IfA).

Person Specification

This occupation is found in any employer in any sector that uses data to make business decisions. Data analysts may work in various departments within a single employer, (for example finance, sales, HR, manufacturing, or marketing), and in any employment sector, public or private, including retail, distribution, defence, banking, logistics, media, local government etc.

The broad purpose of the occupation is to ascertain how data can be used in order to answer questions and solve problems. Data analysis is a process of requirement-gathering, inspecting, cleansing, transforming and modelling data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making. Data analysis has multiple facets and approaches, encompassing diverse techniques under a variety of names. In today's world, data analysis plays a crucial role in making decisions more evidence-based and helping organisations operate more effectively.

For example: a data analyst may investigate social media trends and their impact on the organisation. In retail, a data analyst may break down sales figures to make recommendations on product placement and development. In HR a data analyst may investigate staff retention rates, in order to decide on recruitment strategy. In a hospital, a data analyst may investigate wait times for different departments, in order to provide a better service to its patients.

In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with internal or external clients. Internally, the data analyst may work with many people within their organisation, at different levels. Externally a data analyst may provide data analysis services to other organisations on behalf of their employer. Data analysts would normally be office based and work normal business hours.

Occupational Profiles:

Background and Experience (essential):

As a minimum Independent Assessors should:

●have the competence to assess the apprentice at this level and hold any required L4 qualifications and experience in line with the requirements of the independent assessor as detailed in the IQA section of this EPA plan

●Independent assessors who will need to have at least 3 years of experience and have the technical skills to undertake Data Analysis.

●understand the occupational standard and the requirements of this EPA

●have, maintain and be able to evidence up to date knowledge and expertise of the subject matter

●comply with the IQA requirements of the EPAO

●have no direct connection or conflict of interest with the apprentice, their employer or training provider; in all instances including when the EPAO is the training provider ( HEI)

●attend standardisation events when they begin working for the EPAO, before they conduct an EPA for the first time and a minimum of annually on this apprenticeship standard

Essential others

Only UK based candidates will be considered for this role due to requirements

Minimum of two working days during the week will be required for EPA role.

Background and Experience (desirable):

●Experience of Marking or grading Judgements

●Experience in all areas of Telecommunications.

● Assessor Qualification

Skills & Knowledge (Essential)

●Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal skills, including the ability to effectively respond to conflicts

●Knowledge of relevant legislation, codes of practice

●Sufficient and relevant technical knowledge of the telecoms industry:

●In-depth knowledge of the associated apprenticeship standard, assessment plan, specification, assessment instruments and recording tools

●Ability to assess, free from bias

●Ability to assess and report risks

●Ability to meet deadlines

Other requirements

Any applicant undertaking this role will be expected to:

●Have personal IT equipment capable of running Pearson required software

●Have a suitable broadband connection, Microphone, Headphones and a webcam

●Have a personal and secure email account

●Have a postal address in the United Kingdom or Republic of Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey Isle of Man

●Have the right to work in the UK

●Allow additional time for travel, when making EPA arrangements