Improvement Leader Level 6

Version 1.0  |  ST0556

EPA Overview

End-Point Assessment (EPA) is the final stage of the apprenticeship and provides an opportunity for apprentices to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and behaviours they have developed during their Improvement Leader Level 6  apprenticeship.

The assessment for an Improvement Leader Level 6  apprentice includes a Dissertation, Presentation and Questioning and a Professional Discussion Underpinned by Portfolio of Evidence.

An apprentice cannot achieve their apprenticeship without passing the End-Point Assessment.

End-Point Assessment for Improvement Leader Level 6 can be carried out remotely or face-to-face.

Gateway Requirements

Gateway requirements for Improvement Leader Level 6 apprentices are:

• Evidence of achieving relevant maths and English qualifications if required by funding regulations or the employer

• The employer must be content that the apprentice is working at or above the occupational standard

• Typically,14-18 months on programme

• Submit a Portfolio of Evidence

• Agreed title, scope (500 words) and rationale for dissertation with NQual and employer. The dissertation must be based on the development and deployment of improvement strategy in their business.

Assessment Methods

The EPA for the Improvement Leader Level 6 apprenticeship is made up of two assessment components, both of which must be passed to achieve the apprenticeship.

Dissertation, Presentation & Questioning

NQual will review the scope that is presented at Gateway to confirm suitability. The apprentice will have a maximum of 17 weeks from scope approval to complete and submit the dissertation and presentation, to be reviewed.

NQual will provide a generic specification as to what should be included as per the Dissertation submission document. The final Dissertation should be between 4000 – 4500 words. Appendices must contain supporting evidence, such as meeting minutes, extracts from business strategy, key performance indicator dashboards, risk log and organisation charts (not included in the word count).

The apprentice is also required to submit a presentation alongside the Dissertation as to what they plan to present on the day of their assessment.

The presentation must be 45 to 50 minutes in duration.

This will then be followed by questioning lasting 35 to 40 minutes.

Professional Discussion Underpinned by Portfolio of Evidence

The Professional Discussion is a two-way structured discussion between apprentice and the Independent End-Point Assessor. The Professional Discussion gives the apprentice the opportunity to make detailed and proactive contributions to confirm competency across knowledge, skills, and behaviours. The Professional Discussion must last between 2 hours to 2 hours 20 mins. Details of the criteria covered can be found within our support pack.

EPA Results

NQual will communicate results within 10 working days of the final assessment.

If an apprentice Fails one or more component, they will be offered the opportunity to re-sit / re-take the component(s). It is then up to the apprentice’s employer how many attempts an apprentice is given. A resit is typically taken within three months of the EPA outcome notification.

Where any assessment method must be re-sat or re-taken, the apprentice will be awarded a maximum EPA grade of Pass. Re-sits and re-takes are not offered to an apprentice wishing to move from Pass to a higher grade.

View NQual's Support Pack document for full details about the Improvement Leader Level 6 apprenticeship assessment.