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NOTE: This is for the DevOps engineer apprenticeship standard. If you have any questions about the EPA process please don’t hesitate to ask Dan Sofer or email Jess - [email protected]. For Software Developer, follow the link below.
Assessment: Software Developer
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Gateway - period during which all training has ended and the apprentice is working on their final project.
EPA - End-point assessment, which takes place at the end of gateway.
| Step & key actions for the apprentice | When it happens / deadline | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Join the programme and complete on-programme training | Minimum 12 months, but no more than 24 months before entering Gateway. |
| 2 | Achieve English & Maths at Level 2 (if not already held) | No longer a requirement for adults. |
| 3 | Gateway readiness. Upload ≤ 500-word project summary, high-level plan and timelines(KSB mapping also strongly recommended). | Submit documents to End-point assessment organisation with help from FAC. |
| 4 | EPAO project sign-off | ≤ 2 weeks post-Gateway. |
| 5 | Deliver work-based project and build code while spending ~2 days per week on it | EPA Weeks 1-12 * |
| 7 | Prepare submission package for practical assessment (architecture diagram, KSB mapping, code artefacts) and submit to EPAO. | EPA Week 13 |
| 8 | Undertake Practical Assessment – live demonstration & questioning (up to 3 h) | Scheduled by EPAO any time after submission and within the 4-month EPA window |
| 9 | Sit Professional Discussion – 60 min, with 2 weeks’ notice (order can be before/after practical) | Within the same 4-month EPA window |
| 10 | EPA grading & completion | |
| (Fail / Pass / Merit / Distinction). | Shortly after both methods are marked, still inside 4 months | |
| Re-sit / Re-take (if required)• Re-sit (no further learning): within 2 months of results.• Re-take (with further learning): within 4 months of results. | Only for failed methods; all EPA methods must still finish within 6 months unless exceptional circumstances. |
Apprentices can, at the earliest, enter gateway 12 months after starting the apprenticeship, although they can take longer, depending on the timetable outlined in their apprenticeship agreement with their employer.
https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeships/st0825-v1-1
This is the official source of truth on the DevOps engineer apprenticeship standard and the End-point assessment plan on which all the other documents on this page are based.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MxSO0D6hcSskSCn6P51dl5BfS3_Ypow7/view
Accelerate People are our recommended End-point assessment organisation. This is their guidance for the DevOps engineer standard.