NOCN is a market-leading independent End Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO) who have been successfully delivering End Point Assessments since 2017. NOCN is at the forefront of apprenticeship reforms including the introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy in the UK, working in partnership with employers, Further Education colleges, Training Providers and skills experts to develop a range of standards and assessments for new apprenticeships.

NOCN is also an established Ofqual regulated Awarding Organisation, bringing this level of quality assurance to its End Point Assessment provision.

The primary role of a Property Maintenance Operative is to optimise property condition and quality and to ensure the building is kept in a safe working condition. Property Maintenance Operatives need to maintain a high level of quality, providing maximum satisfaction to customers, clients, guests and team. They will understand the mechanism of buildings including electrical, plumbing, plant, safety systems and equipment. They will provide first and immediate response to fault finding, whilst maximising quality and ensuring cost effectiveness. They will ensure prevention of major damage that could result in extensive costs and minimise reactive intervention.

NOCN works in partnership with employers and Training Providers to provide a quality-first End Point Assessment (EPA). End Point Assessment is the final stage of the apprenticeship where the apprentice demonstrates the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours gained on-programme to an independent End Point Assessor.

The required Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours of the Property Maintenance Operative apprenticeship standard will be fully communicated to the apprentice at the start of their apprenticeship, in preparation for End Point Assessment. End Point Assessment is carried out independently by qualified NOCN End Point Assessors to ensure a quality robust End Point Assessment you can trust.

The required Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours of the Property Maintenance Operative apprenticeship standard that the apprentice will be required to learn during the on-programme phase of the apprenticeship, are found on the Institute for Apprenticeships & Technical Education website. Click the link below to see the apprenticeship standard and assessment plan in further detail:

https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/property-maintenance-operative/

The apprentice will be supported by their employer and the Training Provider throughout the on-Programme phase of the apprenticeship. As a leading Ofqual regulated Awarding Organisation, NOCN offers a number of qualifications to support the apprentice, including:
- NOCN Level 2 Diploma in Property Maintenance Operations
- NOCN Functional Skills Maths and English

To move to End Point Assessment, the apprentice must have achieved the relevant maths and English at Level 1 and take the test at Level 2.

At the end of the on-programme training period, the Training Provider and employer will also review the apprentice’s Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours against the Property Maintenance Operative apprenticeship standard. Once the apprentice has gained the required Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours required of the apprenticeship standard then the apprentice can move forward to End Point Assessment.

The following are required at gateway:

• Portfolio of evidence
• Short knowledge assignment: apprentices will need to complete a short research assignment that will cover the industry and workplace the apprentice is working in, as well as underpinning Knowledge from the technical specification. 

End Point Assessment is the final stage of the apprenticeship. The overall grades available for the End Point Assessment are Pass, Distinction or Fail.

The End Point Assessment for the Property Maintenance Operative apprenticeship standard consists of the following:

Portfolio of Evidence: Provides evidence of the apprentice’s Behaviours and competence to ensure apprentices competence across the various tasks in the workplace required in undertaking the role of a Property Maintenance Operative.

Knowledge Assessment: an observation by an independent industry expert to assess the apprentice’s Skills and Knowledge for the role.

Synoptic Practical Assessment: using practical activities selected from a bank of tasks under controlled conditions.

Synoptic Interview: the independent assessor asks questions of the apprentice to assess their Behaviours and Skills, to review the portfolio and to clarify anything else not adequately covers through the other assessment tools.

NOCN organises the EPA at a suitable time for the employer, training provider and apprentice. We then book the independent expert assessor who will deliver the EPA.

Because arranging a quality EPA involves a number of people and organisations, NOCN requires a minimum of three months to ensure all elements of EPA are in place including, contracting, invoicing and scheduling.

NOCN has a range of useful EPA resources available and our friendly team is available to offer expert advice and support for both Employers and training providers.

On successful completion, NOCN will issue an EPA grade notification and apply to the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) to produce the final apprenticeship certificate.

NOCN EPA services are priced fairly and competitively. As a leading non-profit organisation we ensure our charges are below the maximum 20% of the total apprenticeship. A pre EPA fee is charged at the contracting phase to secure support materials and assessment booking. The remaining balance for the EPA is charged upon Gateway entry and EPA booking. NOCN applies a flexible approach to pricing based upon cohort size and delivery model.

The apprentice can progress on to a Level 3 Team Leader/Supervisor Specialist Skill apprenticeship, including plumbing, heating, carpentry and decorating.