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.

This occupation involves installing a range of roofing materials and products, at height. It includes interpreting drawings, measuring and calculating the required amount of materials. Roofing work can involve anything from repairing a single tile or slate on a domestic property, to re-roofing public buildings such as schools, working on new build housing projects, or installing the roof on large commercial buildings. Roofers can be on site from a few hours to a few weeks so this occupation should suit those who like to move workplaces on a regular basis.

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 Roofer 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 Roofer 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/roofer-v1-0

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 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 have taken the test for level 2.

Apprentices must complete a Portfolio of evidence to underpin the Interview whilst on programme. NOCN will provide a tracking document to help with this.

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 Roofer 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.

There are three individual assessment elements to the Roofer End Point Assessment. These are a knowledge Test, On-site work task observation and a Technical Interview based on the submitted portfolio.

In the learnings gained from the COVID-19 Pandemic, some elements of assessment elements may be delivered remotely using both interactive examination platforms and video conferencing.

Knowledge Test
This element will be delivered using NOCN’s web-based Calibrand platform, which can use managed and delivered on any device, which has a web-browser. NOCN will intend to conduct the invigilation using a nominated exams officer from the training provider or appoint a remote invigilator using practices developed during the COVID-19 pandemic. This remote invigilation will manage the requirements of the assessment. The Knowledge test will be marked by the Calibrand system following a mark scheme designed by NOCN technical experts.

On-site Observation
The Practical element to this EPA is an on-site / in-workplace assessment of the roofer apprentice’s usual workday. This is an anticipated 10-hour observation, which can be held over two days. This assessment will be coordinated with the provider and the apprentice's employer as there will be a requirement to ensure that the apprentice has access to suitable amounts of tasks to ensure that coverage of the assessment plan is completed. The materials and tools for the assessment will be expected to be supplied by the employer in the normal manner, however, it could be considered that a number of the apprentices may have their tools. This possibility will need to be managed to ensure no advantages are gained by apprentices having different equipment.

The assessment will be also conducted in ratios where possible, however considering that this is based on the employer site, it will unlikely that there will be 3 apprentices on sites other than large house builders. It will be mostly delivered on a 1:1 basis.

Technical interview, based on the portfolio of evidence.
The technical interview will review the contents of the apprentice's portfolio and along with standard NOCN questions will reflect on the work completed within the apprenticeship. This will form questions and further discussions. The interview will last for 45 minutes and will be recorded on DVR or video if NOCN decides to hold these interviews in a separate instance. This will be held for later review and moderation. The questions will focus on the prior activity and look to expand the assessors understand of the apprentice’s competence

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.

On completion of this standard apprentices can progress onto: 

• Construction Site Supervisor (L4)
• Construction Site Management (L6)
• Civil Engineer (L6)