Embarking on an apprenticeship is a significant step toward professional development, and the culmination of this journey is the End Point Assessment (EPA). This final stage serves as an impartial evaluation, determining whether apprentices have successfully acquired the skills, knowledge, and behaviours outlined in their respective apprenticeship standards. At Steve Willis Training, we recognise the importance of this assessment and have invested in a cutting-edge Gas EPA centre to ensure our gas apprentices receive the best possible evaluation.
State of the Art Gas EPA Centre: In 2019, Steve Willis Training opened its Gas End Point Assessment centre at our Burgess Hill training facility. This purpose-built centre boasts five fully equipped assessment bays, created with generous support from partners such as Worcester Bosch, Anton Industrial, Harvey Water Softeners, and S&S Northern, with a total investment exceeding £80,000. Our Gas EPA centre is now one of the largest and most modern in the country. Steve Willis Training is honoured to have been awarded the title of ‘Centre of Excellence’ by City & Guilds for our Gas EPA centre.
Gas Apprentices Journey to Competence: For gas apprentices undergoing the Level 3 Gas Operative, Heating & Renewables Engineer apprenticeship at Steve Willis Training, the third year is a pivotal one. After completing the first two years of training, apprentices focus on the Accredited Certification Scheme (ACS) to gain the qualifications and competence required to work under the Gas Safe Register. (ACS assessments, covering various work categories, must be renewed every five years). Following ACS completion, apprentices undertake their EPA-a single day where external bodies, typically City & Guilds, assess their skills in real-life situations. The national average for Gas apprentices receiving a distinction is 17% (2023 Ofqual), yet our gas training team takes pride in achieving a remarkable 100% pass rate and a 51% distinction rate, so far from January through to March 2024, a testament to our trainers’ dedication to passing on expert industry knowledge. For 2024 we have had forty-five gas apprentices take their EPA and passed, with a further twenty-three gas apprentices still to take their EPA (as of the 02.04.2024).
The commitment to excellence in End Point Assessment at Steve Willis Training is reflected in our state-of-the-art facilities, dedicated trainers, and outstanding apprentice success rates. We take pride in shaping the future professionals of the gas and electrical industries, ensuring they are not only qualified but excel in their chosen fields.
