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.

Investment Operations Support staff work within the operational and administrative areas of businesses in the financial services sector that engage in investment management, trading and reporting activities. The support structure underpinning these activities is substantial and varied, with a domestic and global client base of institutional and retail clients that include private individuals, small businesses, collective investment schemes, pension funds, charities, corporations and governments.

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 Investment Operations Administrator 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 Investment Operations Administrator 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/investment-operations-administrator/

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 Englih at Level and take the test at Level 2, as well as a professional qualification listed within the apprenticeship standard.

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 Hospitality Team Member 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.

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 Investment Operations Administrator apprenticeship standard consists of the following:

Portfolio of Evidence: The portfolio contains evidence from real work activity by the apprentice that is likely to have been completed towards the end of the apprenticeship and will illustrate the application of the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours within the Standard synoptically. It will demonstrate the application of knowledge and competence in the work environment and is likely to cover the bulk of the standard.

Professional Discussion: The Professional Discussion is a structured interview between the apprentice and the Assessment Organisation, including the softer Skills of the Standard (e.g. verbal communication, influencing), exploring what has been produced in the Portfolio, how it has been produced and how well they are performing in their role. This enables the assessment as a whole to cover the broad range of Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours from the detailed standard.

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.

Level 3 Investment Operations Technician