The End-Point Assessment for the Assessor/Coach apprenticeship includes Assessor Coach Observations and a Professional Discussion.

What They Do

The Assessor Coach role has emerged within the Education and Training Sector (ETS), over the last 30 years, originally as a result of the implementation of vocational (competence-based) qualifications (notably NVQs) and formalised work-based education and training. The Assessor Coach is a dual professional, using their up-to-date professional knowledge and skills to support vocational and professional development across the formal ETS as well as in any employer setting, and at any level. They may, for example, coach and assess apprentices, trainees or new recruits (ranging from young entrants to new CEOs) in the workplace, commensurate with their own level of experience and qualifications, as required by their employer or their sector.

Assessor Coaches will assess vocational learners, usually on a one-to-one basis, in a range of learning environments.  Coaching skills involve complex communication techniques to actively listen, provide feedback and to engage learners in planning their individualised learning programme. These skills are also integral to assessing learners’ competence in-relation to work-related/industry standards and life skills.

End-Point Assessment Components for the Assessor/Coach Apprenticeship 

• Assessor Coach Observations
• Professional Discussion (with accompanying Showcase Project)

Assessor Coach Observations

Inclusive of two Assessor Coach sessions with a minimum of two different learners, totalling 120 minutes, with a potential variance of 10% depending on the needs of the learners being assessed by the Assessor/Coach apprentice. The Observation will involve learners who will be taking part in a genuine coaching/assessing session, not role-playing. It will usually be a one-to-one session, but a group coaching/assessing session may also be observed; other learners will not be present during these Observations.

Following the Assessor Coach Observations, the End-Point Assessor will question the apprentice in order to clarify any specific sector/specialist practice/s arising from the Observation (e.g. “Why did you take that approach?”) or to address Skills or Behaviours that may not have been apparent.

The duration of the questioning relates to any clarification required around the Knowledge, Skills or Behaviour, and will therefore be specific to each Assessor Coach Observation and each apprentice. Questioning, where needed will not exceed 10% of the total time of the Observation. The Assessor Coach Observations represent a total of 70% of the End-Point Assessment.

Professional Discussion

The Professional Discussion will take place in a confidential environment with no interruptions during which the End-Point Assessor will clarify and validate the apprentice’s claim to meeting the Apprenticeship Standard through ongoing practice, illustrated in the exemplary examples provided in the Showcase. The Showcase Project must be submitted to the End-Point Assessor by the End-Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO) when the range of potential dates for the EPA is communicated.

The Professional Discussion session will last for a maximum of 60 minutes with a variance of 10% allowed. The Discussion represents a total of 30% of the End-Point Assessment.

More Information

If you would like to learn more about the Assessor/Coach Apprenticeship Standard, check out our factsheets page, or alternatively you can find more information via the Institute for Apprenticeships website.