Here at Training Qualifications UK, we like to make sure you’re kept aware of all the most important goings-on in the world of End-Point Assessment. With that in mind, this week we look at updates about level 2 Functional Skills requirements and our examination documentation.
Functional Skills
The ESFA has announced that due to continued COVID-19 disruptions, the temporary suspension of the rule requiring level 2 Apprentices to study towards, and attempt, level 2 Functional Skills has now been extended until 31st March 2021.
This extended flexibility means that Apprentices who are due to take their End-Point Assessment up until 31st March 2021 can continue to pass through Gateway without attempting the level 2 functional skills in English and Maths assessments.
A record should be kept by providers if a level 2 Apprentice does not take the attempt at level 2 assessments during this time.
Please note that level 2 Apprentices still require level 1 functional skills in English and Maths.
No updates in relation to Functional Skills relaxations for standards at level 3 or above have been offered at this time.
For all level 2 Apprentices progressing through Gateway during this period, please continue to download the TQUK “Attempt Level 2 Functional Skills” document, which has been updated to reflect the extended date and is available on VERVE EPA.
We ask that this is used and uploaded as Gateway evidence, in place of the usual required attempted evidence.
We will keep you up to date with any further changes and solutions surrounding Functional Skills and Gateway submissions.
The full ESFA update can be found here
Examination Documentation
We have recently updated our examination documentation to make it more accessible to the Apprentices and invigilators who are completing them. These new versions replace the existing documents that are currently used for our End-Point Assessment MCQs. The updates will be relevant for your Apprentices, as well as your staff in situations where you are acting as invigilators.
These documents will be provided to the appropriate individuals when exam links and guidance are sent out.
The most up to date versions of these documents are accessible through our Verve EPA system.
The documents with recent updates are as follows:
• EPA Remote Assessment Declaration.
• EPA Exam Attendance Register and Invigilator Report.
• MCQ Answer Sheet.
Instructions on the use of these documents and the requirements of invigilation can be found in the downloads section of Verve EPA. You will note that the learner summary sheet has not been updated and is no longer required.
Please make sure to direct your colleagues to this new documentation and replace any downloads you have on your systems before the formal adoption on Monday 26th October. We kindly ask that the older versions are not used after this date.
If you have any questions or queries in relation to these documents, please feel free to reach out to us at assessment@tquk.org, where a member of the team will be more than happy to support.
Level 3 Advanced and Creative Hair Professional Resources
Great news! Resources for our Level 3 Advanced and Creative Hair Professional standard will be available to view and download from our Verve EPA suite by the end of Tuesday 20th October.
Thanks as always for your continued support – The EPA Team!
