As part of the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education's transition to a single EPAO regulator, it was announced in 2020 that all EPAOs would be required to become Ofqual-approved. Because of this transition, a significant loss of technical and industry capability could have occurred so TÜV UK Limited who specialise in safety-critical and technical EPA Welding Services decided to work in collaboration with an Ofqual-approved EPAO. Following several meetings, it was evident that NOCN Group would provide the exceptional assessment and assurance services required to support apprentices on their career paths.

NOCN Group and TÜV UK Limited identified a potential partnership to support these critical technical routes, one that would ensure apprentices a path to achievement while maintaining the technical and regulatory rigour required for End Point Assessment.

This new collaboration will bring together TUV NORD UK's global expertise in technical competence, expert knowledge and integrity, as well as NOCN Group's market-leading End Point Assessment Organisation. This new partnership allows for the formation of an assessment and assurance process that maintains the expertise of TÜV UK Ltd renowned for ensuring that industrial systems and products are designed, manufactured, installed and commissioned following the highest global engineering and manufacturing standards.

Thomas Burton, NOCN Group Director for Apprenticeships, said:

"NOCN Group is committed to ensuring that all apprentices have a path to success; by partnering with TÜV UK, NOCN Group will be able to maintain the high-quality work and processes that TÜV UK has established during their time as an EPAO." The benefits of this partnership will ensure that apprentices will not only profit from NOCN Group's capability and market-leading Rubric platform but will also have access to the best in global technical expertise from TÜV UK Limited.
In supporting the EPAO community in this manner, NOCN Group continues in its mission to help learners and apprentices achieve success in life and work, as well as to help communities and organisations develop and prosper, by providing regulated qualifications, apprenticeship assessments, skills accreditation, assessment support, competency cards, consultancy advice, and training.”

Christopher Ingoe Business Development Manager TÜV UK Ltd said: 

“From the first meeting with Thomas and Leonie it was clear that NOCN was the right organisation to collaborate with to maintain the high-quality work and processes TÜV UK Ltd has established during their time as an EPAO. Working with NOCN will provide the stringent assurances and Ofqual recognition TÜV UK Ltd assessments and exams necessitate. Access to the Rubic Platform is another plus point of collaborating with NOCN to assist training providers to onboard their apprentices. We look forward to working in partnership with NOCN”.