The role of qualifications and end point assessment in apprenticeships: an international comparison

This paper provides a commentary on the role of qualifications and end point assessment (EPA) in apprenticeships in a range of countries. The context for the paper is the introduction of EPA for apprenticeships in England and the removal of the requirement for all apprenticeships to lead to the attainment of specified vocational qualifications. This marks a significant change to the current continuous assessment approach that has been in use since the introduction of competence-based National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) in the late 1980s. The paper draws on a range of sources (published in English), including research-based and country-specific government literature, to identify the different approaches to apprenticeship assessment and certification and to highlight any lessons that could be useful for the development of new assessment procedures in England.

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