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.

Retail Managers are responsible for delivering sales targets and a positive experience to customers that will encourage repeat custom and loyalty to the brand / business. It is a diverse role that includes leading and developing a team to achieve business objectives and work with a wide range of people, requiring excellent communication skills. Maximising income and minimising wastage are essential to the job and therefore individuals must develop a sound understanding of business and people management principles to support the achievement of the vision and objectives of the business.

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 Retail Manager 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 Retail Manager 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/retail-manager-v1-1

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 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 Retail Manager 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 Retail Manager apprenticeship standard consists of the following:

Written Exam: 2 hour written exam with a combination of short and extended answer questions, some incorporating scenarios. Externally set and marked by the assessment organisation and undertaken either on the employer’s premises or off site.

Retail Business Project: A project requiring the apprentice to look at a strategic challenge, opportunity or idea within their retail environment. This must look both internally at the organisation and externally to the local and wider retail markets and include financial implications. As a guide the manager will research and recommend strategies for up to three years including research, proposals and recommendations, including an implementation plan.

Professional Discussion: 1 hour structured meeting led by the independent end assessor, involving the apprentice and employer (e.g. line manager), focusing on how they have performed during the apprenticeship and their overall achievement of the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours in the 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.

Operational / Departmental Manager Level 5