EUIAS, Macclesfield College and Proseal keep apprentices on track
With the Covid-19 pandemic continuing to affect apprenticeships, organisations who train and employ apprentices are working hard to ensure they can complete their training and fulfil their potential. Apprentices working across the energy and utilities and adjacent sectors continue to train to gain their qualification in the current lockdown.
The Energy & Utilities Independent Assessment Service (EUIAS) has been working with Macclesfield College and Proseal to continue providing end-point assessment for their apprentices on the Maintenance & Operations Engineering Technician standard, despite current lockdown restrictions. Their first cohort of seven apprentices completed their end-point assessment with the EUIAS, with three of them achieving a merit. Working within the permitted flexibilities, the EUIAS takes a creative and collaborative approach to delivering high-quality end-point assessment.
Andy Gray, Training Manager at Proseal, said: “Working with the EUIAS, our apprentices were able to carry out their technical interviews virtually, with ease. It is rewarding to work with colleagues who are as keen as we are to put the interests of our apprentices first.”
Sinead Musgrave, Apprenticeship Assistant Delivery Manager at Macclesfield College, added: “We are now training a second cohort of Proseal apprentices and we’re looking forward to see them graduate successfully through the EUIAS. When it comes to ensuring end-point assessments continue safely, the key is to keep communicating with all parties involved, especially as circumstances and restrictions change.”
Across England, apprenticeship starts for the current academic year were down 28% year on year, as a result of Covid-19. However, apprenticeship recruitment in the energy and utilities sector has continued throughout the pandemic, with hundreds of new starts on Gas Engineering Operative alone. Starts on three of the sector’s standards (Utilities Engineering Technician, Water Process Technician, and Electrical Power Networks Engineer) even bucked the national trend and increased this year.
Steven Green, Business Development Manager for Apprenticeships at the EUIAS, said: “With the pandemic causing delays for some completing their apprenticeships, we are keen play our part in helping to deliver high-quality end-point assessment to those ready to complete their course. Employers such as Proseal put great energy into the training of their apprentices and work collaboratively with us to ensure together we provide the best platform for cohorts to succeed. It is more important than ever that apprentices who are on programmes are supported to complete them.”
Throughout the pandemic, the EUIAS has been able to work within IfATE guidelines to apply a flexible approach to completing end-point assessments and carried out the first live-streamed practical observation.
The EUIAS recently became an Ofqual recognised awarding organisation. It is the only apprenticeship end-point assessment organisation (EPAO) dedicated to the energy and utilities sector, and it is the sole EPAO for five apprenticeship standards that meet the essential skills needs of the sector.
To choose the EUIAS as your end-point assessment organisation, or to find out more about how the team can help you, contact Steven Green on 07765 253 454 or steven.green@euias.co.uk.
Visit https://www.euias.co.uk/end-point-assessment/epa-resources/ to see our support materials.