A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR DIGITAL IT APPRENTICESHIPS. Apprenticeship End-Point-Assessment for Employers

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1 A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR DIGITAL IT APPRENTICESHIPS An End Point Assessment guide written for employers for the Digital IT Apprenticeship Standards Apprenticeship End-Point-Assessment for Employers

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3 We are BCS Making IT good for society BCS is a unique assessment and awarding organisation. We are the Chartered Institute for IT, and we are the only assessment and awarding organisation dedicated to the digital industries. We re the experts in steering IT forward and as a non-profit organisation we re committed to shaping tomorrow s IT leaders and driving the digital economy to build a better digital future for all. Overview This guide has been produced to give employers an understanding of the new apprenticeship end point assessment and the roles and responsibilities of those involved in the process. BCS is a Registered Apprenticeship Assessment Organisation (RAAO) responsible for carrying out an independent End Point Assessment (EPA) on a range of the new Digital IT Apprenticeships. The Digital IT Apprenticeship Standards have been created by groups of employers, through the governments Trailblazer process. These standards are being rolled out to replace the current apprenticeship frameworks. These apprenticeship standards have been designed to respond to employers needs, to ensure that they are of a high quality, rigorous and develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours required for a specific job role. Apprentices under the new standards are required to undergo an independent end point assessment, once the EPA is completed, apprentices will be now graded, Pass, Merit or Distinction. As the experts for the digital IT industry with a global membership of over 70,000, we utilise the expertise of the IT community to develop our knowledge modules and our EPA assessment.

4 Pre-Programme and On-Programme An apprenticeship will last for a minimum of 12 months, you will see this period referenced to as on-programme and there are several steps an apprentice, the training provider and the employer will have to undertake during this time. Pre-Programme Employer selects right apprenticeship for their business BCS provides guidance, templates, knowledge modules syllabus and exams Apprentice recruited new or existing employee Employer selects preferred training provider listed on the Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers (RoATP) The employer and the training provider agree a training plan to cover the technical knowledge, the skills and behaviours, covered by the chosen apprenticeship standard The training programme should be supported by skills/business coaches and assessors On-Programme The apprentice will now complete their on-programme learning, which will include on the job and off the job training and completion of the required knowledge modules /vendor certifications The training provider, employer and the apprentice agree that the apprentice is ready for end point assessment and has met all the criteria set out in the standard Confirmation through completion of the BCS EPA Gateway process End Point Assessment (EPA) Programme The EPA components include an assessment of all the requirements held within a standard, including; competencies, knowledge and behaviours. It takes place in the final few months of the apprenticeship using the four assessment methods listed below. Summative portfolio Synoptic project Employer reference Interview BCS, has developed bespoke templates for BCS accredited training providers and the employer s use, to aid each step of the apprentice s journey.

5 What each assessment means Below is a short summary on each of the four EPA components and what they mean. Summative portfolio* Includes examples and evidence of the apprentice s best work, demonstrating their knowledge, competence and behaviours within a real working environment against the standard. BCS provides a template to collate the summative portfolio* Timescales duration of apprentice programme up to EPA readiness Employer reference The employer is required to write a reference for the apprentice, on how they have performed in the workplace and have applied their knowledge, competencies and behaviours in the work projects given. A template form will be provided by BCS to an Accredited Training Provider to support their employers. What makes a good employer reference? There are always differences between individual employers and their requirements, so there is the opportunity for the employer to include any other activity that they think demonstrates the apprentice s competence. It should be completed by a senior member of the team, who is able to comment directly on work activities. Synoptic project The apprentice is required to undertake a business-related project over 3-5 days away from their normal place of work and in a controlled environment. A bank of work related project scenarios will be provided by the assessment organisation for the employer, training provider and the apprentice to select their preferred project. Timescales 3-5 days, apprentices will complete off-thejob, this can be conducted on their employer s or training provider s premises.

6 Interview Interview readiness BCS in its role as an assessment organisation, will arrange an independent review of the apprentice s best portfolio of work, their project and the employers reference, followed by a one to two hour interview. Both the employer and training provider need to inform BCS, ideally at the time of registration or Gateway of any reasonable adjustments or special requirements for the apprentice, so these are accommodated for. The interview is to clarify any questions that the assessor has from their initial assessment of the portfolio, project and employer reference Provide further evidence to the assessor, to support the holistic decision about the grade to be awarded The interview will normally be conducted remotely, through skype or similar technology and will be recorded. Nb: An apprentice must have completed 12 months and two days minimum of their apprenticeship, before they can commence with an end-point assessment interview. Grading The grade will be awarded after the interview, and will determine the final single grade to be awarded Referral, Pass, Merit or Distinction. The purpose of the grading is to differentiate those that have met and those whose work is significantly above the expected level of quality. Criteria for grading The What what the apprentice has shown they can do.* The How the way in work has been done.* The with Whom The personal and interpersonal qualities the apprentice has brought to all of their work relationships.*

7 Grade levels PASS demonstrates the expected minimum requirements for each of the three sets of criteria.* MERIT demonstrates that the What is above the level of quality and one of either the How or With Whom.* DISTINCTION demonstrates each three sets of criteria is significantly above the expected level of quality.* *Source: Techpartnership EPA Steps The flow diagram below indicates each step in the EPA process. On programme learning Exams (knowledge modules or vendor certifications) Training Provider collates information for portfolio Employer asked for reference Training Provider selects apprentices best work for Summative Portfolio Training Provider registers apprentice for EPA Training Provider selects project task from bank, manages and invigilates apprentice s Synoptic Project BCS arranges independent assessment Independent Assessor reviews apprentice s portfolio, project and employer reference, followed by an interview to determine grade Apprentice Digital IT Standards graded and established for eligibility to appear on the Register of IT Technicians (RITTech)

8 Recognition through the new apprenticeship standards Give your apprentice the best start in their career, it s not just a job it s their starting point. The BCS Professional Registration of IT Technicians (RITTech) is a new benchmark of standing within the IT industry, until now there has been no accreditation or standard that is fit for purpose - the BCS Professional Register for IT Technicians, RITTech, is changing this. Now technicians in Digital IT can get the recognition they deserve for the invaluable work they do. Apprentices who meet the criteria for RITTech registration and upon successful completion of their apprenticeship, can apply to appear on the register. This standard is similar to other technical registers. The register enables employers to search for the talent they want and for technicians to stand out from their peers. This is an exciting time to become part of RITTech, whether an individual or a company, as you ll be raising the awareness of technicians throughout IT and helping to build the importance of professionalism within the IT sector. Working with BCS, your assessment organisation Training partners working with BCS, not only have to appear on the RoATP (Register of Accredited Training Providers), they are also required to undergo an additional accreditation process with BCS, to ensure that they meet the regulated requirements that we as an awarding body have to adhere to. Employers that are looking to deliver their own in-house training for apprenticeships, can also apply for BCS accreditation.

9 SFIA (Skills Framework for the Information Age) In meeting the Registered IT Technician standard, individuals will have demonstrated that they are adept in an IT occupation at or above SFIA Level 3. While competence is not determined by length of time served, a Registered IT Technician will typically have been working at this level for a period of at least one year. If you would like more information about the end point assessment process or have any questions concerning the new digital IT apprenticeship standards, speak to a member of our dedicated apprenticeship team. Contact us online Call us on

10 Standard Typical duration Proposed new funding value Funding Band Software Developer L4 24 months 18,000 BAND 12 Cyber Security Technologist L4 24 months 18,000 BAND 12 Network Engineer L4 24 months 18,000 BAND 12 Data Analyst L4 24 months 15,000 BAND 11 Digital Marketer L3 18 months 12,000 BAND 10 Infrastructure Technician L3 12 months (min) 15,000 BAND 11 Software Development Technician L3 18 months 18,000 BAND 6 Software Tester - L4 24 months 18,000 BAND 12 IS Business Analyst* L months 18,000 BAND 12 IT Technical Salesperson* L3 18 months 12,000 BAND 10 Unified Communications Technician* L3 18 months 15,000 BAND 11 *in development

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12 Our latest apprenticeship guides address the key challenges raised by employers & the wider apprenticeship community. A BRIGHTER FUTURE A BRIGHTER FUTURE A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR DIGITAL IT APPRENTICESHIPS FOR DIGITAL IT APPRENTICESHIPS FOR DIGITAL IT APPRENTICESHIPS The power is in your hands The power is in your hands An apprenticeship levy guide for employers An apprenticeship question and answer guide for the apprenticeship community A guide for parents and teachers outlining the benefits of an apprenticeship as a valuable route into a successful career Employers Apprenticeship community An apprenticeship guide for teachers and parents BCS The Chartered Institute for IT First Floor Block D North Star House North Star Avenue Swindon SN2 1FA T +44(0) BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT is the business name of The British Computer Society (Registered charity no ) 2017 If you require this document in accessible format please call +44 (0) L&D/LEAF/386/0917 Please note there are new standards being developed and will appear on our website bcs.org/apprenticeships when available.