We’ve got exciting news!

TQUK now offers End-Point Assessment for Retail Team Leader apprenticeships!

Retail Team Leaders are vital to any retail establishment. They provide crucial support to their managers and deputise for them in their absence. A large aspect of their role requires guiding and coordinating their retail team to complete tasks and meet business targets that help drive sales. They must also ensure that their team members maintain business standards in regards to product merchandising, customer service and promotional activities.

In this apprenticeship, apprentices will be trained to the highest standard in multiple areas of a retail business. They will gain vital knowledge and skills across the customer, financial, marketing, leadership and sales and promotion aspect of their business, among many other areas.

After they complete their training, apprentices will undertake the final stages of assessment, also known as End-Point Assessment, in order to pass their apprenticeship. End-Point Assessment consists of thorough assessment procedures that ensure an apprentice is able to meet nationally set standards.

The End-Point Assessment for the Retail Team Leader apprenticeship is split into three parts:

• On-Demand Test
• Retail Business Project
• Professional Discussion

On-Demand Test

This 60-minute On-Demand Test will be in multiple-choice format. The questions will test apprentices on the knowledge and skills covered in the Apprenticeship Standard. They will be scenario based and will require apprentices to demonstrate reasoning and joined up thinking against key elements of the Standard. Some questions will require the apprentice to consider a course of action to a problem based on a real-life workplace activity.

Some examples of the subjects the apprentice will be tested on include:

• Understanding how to support effective communication, quickly determining the situation and needs of individuals and how to respond in the most appropriate way
• Knowing methods of merchandising throughout the retail operation
• Understanding the principles of stock control, from sourcing to sale
• Understanding the knowledge, skills and behaviours required of themselves and others to develop a high performing team in the business

The On-Demand Test will be on-screen and computer marked unless the apprentice requires an alternative method, such as a paper-based exam. The Test will take place in a controlled environment, away from the pressures of work.

Retail Business Project

The Retail Business Project requires the apprentice to plan and undertake a project that focuses on an immediate problem, opportunity or idea relevant to their day to day role. It should include a research proposal, identify measurable improvements in their business and make recommendations for implementation. An example of a Project could be to identify a potential cost-saving measure the business could use through improving efficiency, reducing waste or finding alternative ways of working to achieve business objectives.

The Project will be identified by the apprentice and discussed with their line manager first, then with their on-programme assessor at least one month before their readiness for independent end assessment. This allows the apprentice time to prepare a one-page synopsis of their proposed project which they must bring to their independent end assessment planning meeting. The independent end assessor and the employer will then determine whether the proposed project has the potential to meet the criteria of the Retail Business Project. The Project must contain the following:

• Introduction and background
• Outline of challenge or opportunity
• Aims and objectives
• Identification of measurable improvements and benefits to the organisation
• Evidence of consultation and engagement of stakeholders
• Analysis of costs and commercial context
• Legislative requirements explained and adhered to
• Evidence of effective research
• Justified recommendations for implementation
• Proposed timeframes for implementation

Once the project proposal has been approved by the independent end assessor, the apprentice will need to undertake their project and present their findings to the assessor within the three month end assessment period. The presentation will take place in a controlled environment and will last 30 minutes long, which includes time for questions and answers at the end.

The apprentice will also need to provide supporting evidence to show that they’ve completed each of the underpinning activities that lead them to make their recommendations to the independent end assessor. Additionally, the apprentice must supply evidence of the actions that they’ve undertaken as part of the Project at least five working days before the presentation. There is no word count and the apprentice can present this information however they’d like, such as in a business report. They must include details of how and what research was undertaken, the costings and how the legal implications have been considered.

Professional Discussion

The Professional Discussion is a structured one-hour discussion between the apprentice and their independent end assessor. Their employer will be in the discussion to provide further examples and support the apprentice, but will not lead or score the Discussion. The independent end assessor who conducts the Professional Discussion should normally be the same person who assessed the Retail Business Project. This allows them to ask the apprentice questions regarding:

• The period of learning, development and continuous assessment
• Coverage of the standard
• Personal development and reflection

The apprentice will be informed of the requirements of the Discussion at least five days in advance. The Professional Discussion is an opportunity for the independent end assessor and employer to discuss the apprentice’s performance across the whole Standard. As part of this, the apprentice can bring materials to the Discussion to help demonstrate their competence. The Professional Discussion will recognise areas that have already been covered in the Retail Business Project so that apprentices will not be re-assessed in an area which they’ve already demonstrated competence in.

Here are a few examples of areas the apprentice must display capability in to pass their Discussion:

• Explain why it is essential to instil the importance of following procedures to staff
• Provide examples of how staff are managed effectively, including motivation and development of teams and individual staff members
• Provide an overview of how the retail operation meets the needs of the business
• Explain the importance of keeping up to date with current industry trends and provide examples of how this has been achieved

Here are a few examples of areas in which the apprentice must display capability to achieve a Distinction:

• Demonstrate staff engagement, motivation, performance management and how this has led to increased performance
• Describe how recommendations for the improvement of quality, cost, value or efficiency have been made and implemented in the organisation
• Provide mentorship to team members with measurable improvements to the performance of individuals and the team

The Discussion will be conducted in a controlled environment, away from their normal place of work. If all parties can’t meet in the same place, then the Discussion may be conducted using technology such as a video link, as long as fair assessment conditions can be maintained.

After their apprenticeship, apprentices can progress into a junior retail management position.

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Whether you’re an apprentice or employer, we hope this gave you more insight into the Retail Team Leader apprenticeship!

If you’d like to see the range of standards we provide End-Point Assessment for, click here. Otherwise, to keep up to date with the latest news from TQUK EPA, return to our blog or follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

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