Coronavirus update for customers

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Coronavirus update for customers

Operational Update on NOCN Group Qualifications and Services

NOCN Group offers a wide range of services including regulated qualifications, EPA for apprenticeships, Job Cards in construction, Access to HE Diplomas, bespoke accreditation and educational and skills support training.

You will find out more operational detail on the implications of COVID19 for each of these services, including advice for students and centres preparing for external assessments, through the following links:

Please note that NOCN will be following the guidance issued by the ESFA, IfATE, Ofqual, CCEA, QAA and Qualifications Wales, and will update our customers as things change.

If you have any concerns or would like to discuss the impact on your centre, apprentices or learners please contact us on nocn@nocn.org.uk or 0300 999 1177 (Option 1).

Working to support our valued customers

You will be aware of the various Government and World Health Organisation (WHO) announcements and official advice over COVID19.
The situation is unprecedented and has been continually changing. With colleges and schools now closed and the country in effect ‘locked down’, other than essential services, we will endeavour to continue to support you, your apprentices, learners and card applicants through this difficult period.

We support Ofqual’s statement that the most important principle is fairness to all learners and apprentices, not only for those being assessed now, but also for those assessed before COVID-19.

Centre Support

All our staff are working from home, so we are still offering front line support, through telephony, email and web chat as usual.
Certificates for regulated qualifications and cards are being issued to centres in the normal way.
We aim to provide as full a range of our services as possible, where these can be delivered remotely, and we can use remote or recorded assessment methods, whilst maintaining the integrity of the assessment.
All face-to-face appointments for approval visits, External Quality Assurers, and external assessments have been suspended until training centres reopen and normal business resumes.
We are providing digital on-line support, including offering WebEx interviews, developing online invigilated exams in place of physical papers, and digital content support.


Please contact us to discuss how best we can support you on nocn@nocn.org.uk or 0300 999 1177 (Option 1).

Best wishes from all at NOCN to you our valued customers. We hope you all remain safe and well.

Graham Hasting-Evans, Group Managing Director

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FAQs

Here is a list of frequently asked questions. If you can't find an answer to your question below, please contact endpointassessment@nocn.org.uk

Q.How much notice do you require in order to carry out an End Point Assessment?

NOCN need a minimum of four weeks’ notice from the point of you submitting the EPA request to the date requested. NOCN will work to ensure that we can fulfil your booking as quickly as possible, but four weeks is the minimum amount of time we need.

Q.What type of advice and support do your EPA Assessors give?

Our assessors are all friendly industry professionals, but they are undertaking the role of an examiner. They will not offer any advice or feedback during the assessments. Think driving test examiner and the role of an End Point Assessor is very similar.

Q.What training or guidance does NOCN provide to invigilators?

NOCN provide an invigilation guide which is available to download from the Useful Information and Resources page within the Help and Support section of the website.

Q.What happens if an apprentice drops out before completing the programme?

NOCN approach to End Point Assessment costing is flexible, based on the delivery model of the Training Provider and employer. NOCN charges a small registration fee at the outset to cover administration and setup, which enables on-going support and training for the Training Provider and employer. You can change the name and details of the apprentice at any point up to the submission at Gateway. You don’t lose the slot if the apprentice is no longer on the programme.

Q.Are there any mock assessments? If so, which sectors are they in?

Our EPA is subject to restrictions, some allow for mock assessments and some do not. NOCN will be happy to provide you with the mock information for each of your cohorts. Please contact us via endpointassessment@nocn.org.uk

Q.Does the training provider have to provide premises/a facility for practical assessment?

NOCN need a minimum of four weeks’ notice from the point of you submitting the EPA request to the date requested. NOCN will work to ensure that we can fulfil your booking as quickly as possible, but four weeks is the minimum amount of time we need.

Q.Does the training provider have to provide premises/a facility for practical assessment?

NOCN need a minimum of four weeks’ notice from the point of you submitting the EPA request to the date requested. NOCN will work to ensure that we can fulfil your booking as quickly as possible, but four weeks is the minimum amount of time we need.

Q.How long after the EPA has taken place will it take for centres to be informed of the results?

Our Standard Service Level Agreement (SLA) is five working days from the final element of the EPA. However, there may be instances where we need to keep the EPA outcome in moderation until NOCN are satisfied the outcomes meet the requirements of the assessment plan and apprenticeship standard.

Q.Where will NOCN send the certificates to?

The Education Skills Funding Agency is the issuing agency for the apprenticeship certificate, NOCN will issue a results notification to the nominated contact on the apprentice’s record. This result can then be viewed via the Rubric system.

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