IPP Education as an EPAO
IPP Education Ltd are an Ofqual approved End Point Assessment Organisation for the Level 3 Payroll Administrator Apprenticeship (EPAO)
IPP Education Limited (IPPE) have been developing, delivering and assessing payroll qualifications since 1991.
What is Endpoint assessment?
End-point assessment (EPA) is the final stage of an apprenticeship. It is an impartial assessment which assesses if an apprentice has developed the skills, knowledge and behaviours that are outlined in the relevant apprenticeship standard.
Assessment plans for each standard are designed by a group of professionals within the sector being accessed and are conducted by independent bodies known as end-point assessment organisations (EPAOs).
It's important for employers to select an EPAO as early as possible into the apprenticeship. This is typically done via the apprenticeship training provider, however, ultimately, it is the employer of the apprentice who must make the decision on which EPAO they engage with. Early engagement will ensure that an apprentice fully understands the assessment criteria and the methods that will be used to carry out the assessment.
Once the assessment has been completed, the EPAO will record the apprenticeships completion, so that a certificate from the Institute for Apprentices and Technical Education IfATE can be issued.
What are the assessment methods used for the Level 3 Payroll Administrator Apprenticeship?
The EPA for the standard currently consists of three methods:
- Multiple choice test
- Role simulation
- Professional discussion
The combination of the above methods have been designed to test the knowledge, skills and behaviours detailed within the published standard, so that the EPAO is satisfied that the apprentice is competent in the payroll administrator job role.
Full details on the assessment methods and the knowledge, skills and behaviours being assessed can be found here.
IPP Education as an EPAO
IPPE will not have direct contact with the apprentice until they have reached gateway, however, contact between IPPE and the training provider/employer will begin once IPPE are appointed as the EPAO.
Six months prior to gateway, the training provider will be provided with login details for their apprentices. This will give the apprentice access to IPPE’s learning platform before they reach gateway. The benefit of allowing prior access will enable the apprentice to become familiar with the assessment plan, the platform they will use during assessment and access to practice assessments. In addition, detailed guidance and resources will be available to the apprentice to ensure they are ready and confident to enter the assessment gateway.
Once an apprentice has reached gateway, the EPA team at IPPE will arrange for an initial meeting with the apprentice, employer and training provider to introduce ourselves, give details of the EPA process and clear clarification on who the apprentices EPA is.
Following on from this, clear and continual communication will be made to ensure that everyone involved with the EPA is aware of the expectations.