EPAO Checklist: 5 Things You Should Be Doing Now to Future-Proof Your Organisation

From DfE announcements to future opportunities ahead, here are five things you should be addressing in your organisation to stay ahead of a rapidly changing education sector.  

 A lot is changing in the world of end-point assessment. New government policies, better technology, changing expectations and the continued evolution of hybrid, online assessments are all creating challenges and opportunities for EPAOs.   

Some of those issues are easier to tackle than others, and one of the biggest challenges this year has been a lack of clarity around what exactly is going to change, and when. For EPAOs, there is only so much you can do to prepare for what you don’t know lies ahead, but what you can do to prepare is take stock of where you are now and think about how well-equipped you are for changes that lie ahead.   

Here, we look at five practical things that you can do now to keep things running smoothly, improve the assessor experience, make processes as easy as possible for providers and apprentices, and, most importantly, make sure you organisation is flexible and ready for change, whatever the sector has in store.  

1. Keep up with policy updates (and be ready for more)

The Department for Education and IfATE continue to refine the apprenticeship system. From assessment plan revisions to the formalisation of temporary flexibilities, your processes need to reflect the latest requirements. That includes preparing for the long-term impact of the Apprenticeship Accountability Framework, tracking changes to mandatory qualifications, and keeping your team ready to act when confirmation of further changes come through. One thing you shouldn’t have to worry about is keeping your platform up to date, which is why at Skilltech Solutions we’re taking the lead to ensure that our platforms keep up with changes.  

2. Strengthen your digital infrastructure

Your EPA platform should now be doing much more than just hosting assessments. It should provide a full start-to-finish assessment process, from registration all the way to certification. Everything should be on one platform, including communication: there is no reason in today’s digital landscape that you should have to switch between multiple spreadsheets and platforms.  

Your EPA platform should also enable flexibility across remote, hybrid and in-person models, and be adaptable if either regulations or expectations change. while keeping workflows simple and secure. The right infrastructure makes every change easier to deliver, so if you don’t already have a platform like epaPRO or Accolade, you should look into it. If you are already using these platforms, make sure you’re getting every benefit you can from it, including changes like Skilltech1 that gives you one central login hub for all of your learner journeys. Speak to our customer success team to find out more. 

3. Make customer experience your competitive edge

Assessment quality matters, but so does the experience of working with your organisation. EPAOs that stand out are the ones that make life easier for training providers, assessors and apprentices. That means responding quickly to queries, sharing updates clearly, and using platforms that are intuitive and accessible. A consistent, well-managed journey for your customers helps build trust and long-term relationships, which is why so many EPAOs and training providers choose to work with epaPRO. Again, small changes like onboarding Skilltech1 onto epaPRO can make a big difference to experiences, enabling traing providers to login and switch easily between different pathways.  

4. Build agility into your operations

This year will bring more change, and the ability to adapt quickly will set the best EPAOs apart. Review your internal processes to make sure you can implement regulatory updates quickly. Equip your teams with the tools and information they need to adjust when needed, and speak to your platform provider to make sure you can make changes without delays or disruption to your service. The more agile your organisation is, the more value you’ll be able to deliver, and the more efficient your team will be.   

5. Think about future opportunities 

Compliance is critical, but the most successful EPAOs are looking further ahead. This is the time to explore new standards, identify gaps in the market, and invest in scalable innovations that support long-term growth. With the apprenticeship landscape evolving to include new industries, emerging skills and more digital delivery on one hand, and general awarding playing a key role in the government’s Skills England plans on the other, it is an exciting time for EPAOs. Make sure you are ready to take every opportunity: a cohesive end point assessment or awarding platform will make great ideas a lot easier to turn into reality.   

If you’re looking to streamline, future-proof and improve your EPA and awarding processes, make sure you have a platform that can support your vision for change. Book a demo for epaPRO or Accolade with our team to see the difference Skilltech Solutions can make to your organisation.