For Hairdressing Professional apprentices - there are three types of assessment within EPA

1. An observation of practical skills to include questioning from an Independent End Point Assessor (IEPA).

   • Prior to EPA each apprentice will complete an EPA planner within Collinge & Co training, this will be checked by their tutor and will include images of their model choices. This helps us to ensure the apprentice has chosen accurately and has the best chance of completing their EPA successfully.
   • If an apprentice fails they can re-sit their EPA, but this will require a payment from their employer.
   • Apprentices can fail EPA or achieve either PASS, MERIT or DISTINCTION gradings.
   • The apprentice is expected to provide their own models for EPA, it is vital they choose good models and employers are asked to support them so they are more able to achieve higher grades.
   • The EPA generally takes five and a half hours, (excluding lunch break) during which the apprentice will complete two cut and finish models and a colour service on one of these.

   How you can support your apprentices EPA

   • Help them to find the right model/clients - this is often a big factor in the difference between a pass or distinction. The model needs a good head of hair that is suitable to meet the EPA criteria:-
   • Cut one: must be a creative restyle (above shoulder length hair) that changes the shape and includes a least three different cutting techniques. (Apprentices cannot follow the previous cut, it must clearly alter the shape and take off a decent amount of hair)
   • Cut two: asks for a style refresh/ trim on below shoulder length hair.
   • The below shoulder blow dry must create movement using a round brush and be finished with a half up/ half down hairstyle.
   • The above shoulder blow dry must enhance the restyle haircut.
   • The colour service must cover 30% of the head, using woven highlights to the roots and a secondary colour service to change depth and tone.

   Apprentices must complete the above across two models.

   It is the apprentices responsibility to source their model/ clients for EPA - therefore your support is greatly appreciated.

   1. A knowledge test - multiple choice online test via City & Guilds - to be completed within Collinge & Co Training soon after the apprentice reaches Gateway.
   2. A professional discussion of 35 minute duration - apprentices will discuss online with a City & Guilds Independant End Point Assessor items such as Front of House; CPD; areas of the Practical work undertaken during their Hairdressing Professional programme.

   Apprentices will receive a PASS if they cover all the criteria above to an appropriate standard, showing they can manage a column of clients, have good client care, can work within time schedules, communicate and provide advice well whilst working safely and hygienically throughout the services.

   Apprentices can achieve a MERIT if they achieve a DISTINCTION in any one of the two assessment

   Apprentices can achieve DISTINCTION if they cover all the above in addition to being confident, organised, pro-active, adapting techniques to maximise the finished look and thinking about both immediate and longer term management of the style so they can provide strong advice and aftercare showing a depth of understanding and skill.

EPA for Advanced and Creative Hair Professional apprentices

1. A knowledge test - generally multiple choice questions covering key knowledge criteria.

2. A professional discussion of 45 minute duration - as a part of the A&C programme, apprentices have to build their own ‘look collection’. At EPA they will present this collection to the Independent End Point Assessor (IEPA) answering questions to show their passion, creativity, understanding and knowledge.

3. An observation of practical skills with questioning - this must be completed within 5 hours and will require the apprentice to reproduce a precision cut taken from their ‘look collection’ as well as a colour conversion service on a model with previously coloured hair.

   Prior to EPA each apprentice will complete an EPA planner and this will be checked by their tutor and will include images of their model choices. This helps us to ensure the apprentice has chosen accurately and has the best chance of completing their EPA successfully.

   • Apprentices can fail EPA or achieve either PASS or DISTINCTION gradings.
   • If an apprentice fails they can re-sit their EPA, but this will require a payment from their employer.

   How you can support your apprentices EPA

   • Help them to find the right model/clients - this is often a big factor in the difference between a pass or distinction. The model needs a good head of hair that is suitable to meet the EPA criteria:-
   • The cut - must be a precision cut
   • The colour conversion - must be on a client/ model with previously coloured hair.

   Apprentices can complete the above across two models - it is the apprentices responsibility to source their model/ clients for EPA - therefore your support would be greatly appreciated.

   Apprentices will receive a PASS if they cover all the criteria above to an appropriate standard, showing they have a good understanding of the services from consultation right through to aftercare. Apprentices will need to know how to resolve problems and what to look out for within specific services. They will provide exemplary client care, can work within time schedules, communicating well and confidently throughout the client services and professional discussion. They will provide good advice to their clients and work safely and hygienically throughout.

   Apprentices can achieve DISTINCTION if they show passion - having a strong emotion or connection to their work; showcase well - displaying the best qualities and skills within the various assessments; show creativity - originality, resourcefulness, inventiveness; clearly have talent and flair - can articulate well, show strong ability, artistry which results in a superior quality to their work, distinctive elegance and style; are imaginative - shows they can broaden their thoughts and services using their ideas and research.

MOCK END POINT ASSESSMENT

In order to prepare your apprentice/s for their end-point assessment, Collinge & Co Training plan MOCK EPA’s. Tutors are swapped around so that apprentices are observed and assessed impartially and the experience is as realistic as possible. Tutors who take the role of an EPA assessor will grade the apprentice and feedback will be aimed at helping them to identify their weaker areas and consolidate on their strengths in preparation for the real event.

Please note apprentices are expected to provide their own models for the MOCK EPA. Over the course of their training Collinge & Co training will have provided an apprentice with a minimum of 100+ client/ models to enable them to hone their skills. Expecting an apprentice to provide suitable models for both their MOCK and REAL EPA’s is not a big ask and we very much appreciate your help and assistance.

Providing the right model for EPA is vital.