The Engineering College, located in Birkenhead, Merseyside, has achieved the coveted Ofqual approval as an End Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO), becoming accredited to deliver end point assessment services to companies for their apprentices in the following trades:

• Metal Fabricator (ST0607)
• Pipe Welder (ST0851)
• Plate Welder (ST0852)
• Engineering Construction Pipefitter (ST0162).

End Point Assessment (EPA) is the final stage of the apprenticeship journey which must be completed for an apprentice to become fully certified. It is an impartial, rigorous assessment identifying if they have developed the knowledge, skills, and behaviour requirements outlined in the apprenticeship standard.

The granting of EPA Awarding Organisation status by Ofqual means The Engineering College can now carry out EPA assessments nationally, either delivering them off site at their Technical Assessment Centre in Birkenhead, or on-site at the employer’s premises. The purpose-built technical assessment centre is equipped with the tools, materials and equipment required to complete all elements of the EPA assessments in each of the EPA qualifications for which it is currently approved and is staffed by some of the leading experts in the engineering technical assessments field.

Kevin Cairns, EPA Manager at The Engineering College:

“Over the years The Engineering College has established a formidable reputation for delivering training and apprenticeship programmes to the engineering sector. This new EPAO accreditation allows us to utilise that expertise – and our top-class facilities – to support employers who do not engage with or benefit from our apprenticeships training delivery, as they seek to have their apprentices independently assessed and where successful, certificated as fully qualified and nationally accredited apprentices”.

“It is also a huge boost for industry to be able to have these EPAs carried out on site at The Engineering College, which isn’t always an option with some other EPA providers. This can make all the difference to employers planning for and accommodating EPA for their apprentices, and adds another level of quality, cost, and delivery control to the process, for both the employer and The Engineering College EPAO.”

Terry Weston, CEO at The Engineering College:

“The college’s new EPAO status is the next step in expanding The Engineering College’s Commercial technical training and assessment services to employers and their apprentices in the engineering industry”.

“The Engineering College offers a wide range of commercial training and assessment services to businesses within the industry, and we are delighted to now offer EPAs as an additional service to businesses, which will underpin the quality of engineering apprenticeships up and down the country.”

Details of available EPA assessments are listed on the college’s website. Alternatively contact EPA@theengineeringcollege.co.uk for more information / support with your EPA enquiries