With the introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy, apprenticeships are a fantastic way that employers in our industry can bring new workers, skills and talent, into their business.
In general, logistics industry apprenticeships include a 12-month period of training, followed by an assessment, when you, as an employer, are happy that your employee has achieved the required standard. This is known as an End Point Assessment (EPA) and is the final part of the apprenticeship. It must be carried out by an independent organisation – you cannot carry out an EPA on your own candidates.
RTITB End Point Assessment Service
To support businesses in developing their workforce through apprenticeships, RTITB’s EPA service launched in May 2019. RTITB is on the Education and Skills Funding Academy Agency (ESFA) Register of EPA Organisations and is registered to conduct the necessary assessments for the Supply Chain Warehouse Operative (ST0259) Level 2 apprenticeship standard, among others.
Before RTITB’s expert assessors can conduct the EPA, they must confirm that the specific gateway requirement for the apprenticeship standard has been met. To pass the gateway, the employer and training provider must agree that the candidate has completed 12 months on-programme training and that they have acquired the skills and knowledge ready to be tested.
What does the Supply Chain Warehouse Operative (ST0259) Level 2 EPA include?
Our EPA for the Supply Chain Warehouse Operative (ST0259) Level 2 includes two elements – short answer questions, then a one-hour practical test, each providing 50% of the candidate’s overall grade. Both test elements take place on the same day and can be conducted either in the workplace or at the training providers premises. After these tests the apprentice receives an overall grade of pass or distinction.
The EPA for Supply Chain Warehouse Operative (ST0259) Level 2 assesses knowledge and skill against various day-to-day warehouse tasks, including manual handling and using warehouse systems and processes, as well as health and safety and legislation. It also looks at customer service skills, working in a team, attitudes and behaviours.
The practical test in particular looks at operating materials handling equipment safely, such as moving, loading or handling goods, to check the apprentice is competent to carry out the practical aspects of their job role.
Why choose RTITB for your End Point Assessments?
• We’re assessment specialists. We don’t deliver apprentice training, so our focus is solely on developing fair, consistent and efficient assessments.
• We’re logistics industry experts. We only work in the logistics sector so we might even work with your training and development team already!
• Our assessors are from the sector. All our EPA assessors are existing team members with a wealth of experience in carrying out the workplace assessments for RTITB’s materials handling and warehouse equipment training assessment services.
• We ensure consistent standards. Our assessors regularly hold standardisation meetings to ensure a consistent approach to assessment and that high standards are upheld.
How do you book an RTITB EPA?
To book your EPA for your Supply Chain Warehouse Operative (ST0259) Level 2 apprentices with RTITB, complete a simple EPAO Employer Confirmation Form. We’ll add you to our database and start planning and allocating resources, so we can offer End-Point Assessment where and when needed. Once you confirm that the apprentice has met the gateway requirements, you can send a preferred date for the EPA. Our EPA team will verify the gateway confirmation and be in touch to arrange the final date, time and location for the EPA.
To discuss how we can support you with all of your apprenticeship End Point Assessment needs contact our EPA Manager Andy Blatch on +44(0)1952 520200 or email him on epa@rtitb.co.uk.