End Point Assessments
Sable Leigh Consultancy Ltd (SLC), is a registered End Point Assessment Organisation which delivers Level 3 Train Driver Apprenticeship (ST0645) End Point Assessments (EPAs) through The Rail Academy – its specialist rail training and assessment partner. .
What is the End Point Assessment?
End Point Assessment (EPA) is the final assessment of an apprentice, who has completed their apprenticeship program of training. They must demonstrate the necessary standard of competence during all stages of their assessment before they can be awarded their qualification.
Rail related End Point Assessments can only be carried out by organisations who have been assessed as capable and competent by the National Skills Academy for Rail (NSAR) or the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual). They must be completely independent from both the employer of the apprentice and the apprenticeship training provider.
All Rail Academy / SLC End Point Assessments for the Train Driver Level 3 Apprentice Programme are carried out by licensed, qualified and active train drivers.
The End Point Assessment Process
Pre- Assessment Tasks:
- The apprentice reaches gateway and we are told we have been selected to deliver their EPA by the training provider.
- The apprentice details are sent to our EPA team, reviewed and checked.
- Our EPA team will set agree an EPA date with the apprentice’s employer and an assessor and back-up assessor will be appointed.
- We contact the candidate no less than 14 days before the date of the EPA to confirm the date of their assessment, give them access to the Learning Management System and provide guidance notes, policies and procedures, and mock materials.
- The mock materials must be completed by the candidate no later than 48 hours before their assessment.
- An online appointment invite will be sent to the candidate, which they need to accept.
- The assessor will schedule a call with the apprentice no later than 24 hours before the EPA.
- During this pre-EPA call, the assessor will complete a ‘Pre EPA’ checklist and carry out an IT check with the apprentice. We will upload details to the apprentice’s secure file.
Assessment Delivery:
- On the day of the EPA, the assessor will be ready not less than 20 minutes prior to the agreed assessment time.
- They will repeat and confirm the assessment plans and inform the apprentice that certain parts of the assessment will be recorded.
- The assessor will complete the ‘fitness for EPA’ checklist with the apprentice and once they are satisfied with the results, the assessor will conduct the EPA which consists of three elements:
- Workplace Observation/Simulation scenarios for Defective on Train Equipment and Emergency Working.
- Professional Discussion
- Online Test
Post Assessment Tasks:
- The assessor will give initial feedback to the apprentice at the time, but will not confirm a pass or fail.
- The assessor will formally write up and record the assessment and the results which will be provided to the Training Provider and the Apprentice’s employee.
- We sample and review assessments to ensure consistency and fairness.
- We will upload to the Government Gateway within 48 business hours and if a pass has been recorded, a certificate will be requested.
- In the event that an assessment is failed, arrangements will be made with the Training Provider for a resit where applicable.
Contact us:
To find out more about our End Point Assessment or other services, please contact us: