Interview with Elizabeth Pincombe-Stringer, Head of End Point Assessment at FutureQuals

Aviation and pre-hospital care may not sound like the most likely pairing, but they do share something in common: they’re both niche apprenticeship sectors that awarding organisation FutureQuals specialise in. 

We sat down with Elizabeth Pincombe-Stringer, Head of End Point Assessment at FutureQuals, to learn about how the company is driving change in apprenticeship schemes in these niche areas, the value of end-point assessments, and the role technology plays in this process. 

Can you tell us about FutureQuals and the company’s ethos? 

At FutureQuals, we specialise in two main sectors: pre-hospital care and aviation. We’ve been working in pre-hospital care for quite a while now, providing a suite of qualifications and end-point assessments (EPAs) for ambulance support workers and associate ambulance practitioners. More recently, we’ve expanded into aviation, offering qualifications for roles like air traffic controllers, first officer pilot, cabin crew, and aviation flight operations coordinators. 

Our ethos centers around the learner experience and our sector expertise. We intentionally focus on these niche markets because it allows us to deliver a more personalised, effective learning experience. We believe in continuous improvement and work hard to innovate our approach to assessments, not just as an awarding body, but as a support system for apprentices.  

We want to ensure that the apprentice is at the heart of everything we do, and we use tools like EPA Pro to make the process more accessible, improving support for both the apprentice and the employers. 

What does your role as Head of End Point Assessment involve on a day-to-day basis?

My role involves a lot of variety. From overseeing the analytics side of things and planning what’s coming up, to supporting our customers, every day brings new challenges. I spend a lot of time managing customer relationships and making sure we’re delivering the best experience for both the apprentice and the employer. I visit our customers in person, or virtually, to review progress, discuss feedback, and identify areas for improvement. 

I also support the Chief Qualifications Officer with evaluating the effectiveness of our assessment materials and ensuring we’re always improving our processes. Though my background is in academics (I’m a civil engineer by training), I had transferable skills that allowed me to move into this sector. My role is about making sure everything is running smoothly, from the operational side of the business to supporting apprentices and employers. 

How have you seen the development of end-point assessments (EPA) over time? 

Since I’ve joined the sector, I’ve seen significant changes in the way EPAs are structured. We have two main types of apprenticeship standards – one that’s been around for a while and one that’s more recent – and they show how much the process has evolved. The resilience and support of the assessments have definitely improved. 

What’s most interesting is seeing how IFATE (Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education) and Skills England have developed these standards over time, making them more robust and supportive of both apprentices and employers. I’ve worked in academia for many years, so I’ve seen the shift from frameworks to standards and then into end-point assessments, but I see the difference in style and how it supports the apprentice. 

What sectors do you think could benefit from more apprenticeships? 

I’m a huge advocate for apprenticeships across all sectors. Even though I wasn’t an apprentice myself, I believe any workforce can benefit from having apprentices. Apprenticeships give individuals the opportunity to learn on the job, applying their knowledge in a practical setting while also receiving formal education. This creates a more rounded and capable workforce. 

While pre-hospital care and aviation are our focus, I’ve worked in and alongside a variety of sectors, including dental, construction, and project management, and I’ve seen first-hand how apprenticeships can improve performance and outcomes in any industry. Apprenticeships help individuals gain a broader skill set and bring a fresh perspective to the workplace. 

What’s your opinion on the social importance of apprenticeships? 

I feel that apprentices are looked at in quite derogatory terms, like, “oh, but they’re just an apprentice”. Many people still associate them with traditional trades like bricklaying or hairdressing, but in reality, apprenticeships are a vital avenue for vocational learners in all kinds of sectors who might not excel in academia but thrive in the workplace. 

From a social perspective, apprenticeships are incredibly important. They offer an alternative route into a career and can be life-changing for those who might not have thrived in a classroom setting. Personally, I wouldn’t be where I am today without workplace learning. I did my degree while working and was supported by my company, and that hands-on experience made all the difference. 

How does FutureQuals differentiate itself from other EPAOs? 

We pride ourselves on being specialists in the sectors we work in. Our strong partnerships with SMEs (subject matter experts) have been built over many years, and that expertise is embedded in everything we do.  

We work closely with employers to create strong partnerships that support apprentices throughout their journey, from the early stages to the final assessment. The deep industry knowledge we bring to the table is what sets us apart. 

Do you think apprentices have enough support throughout their journey? 

From what we see, apprentices receive great support throughout their journey. At FutureQuals, we make sure apprentices have access to support materials right from the start. We’ve partnered with employers to remove barriers and ensure apprentices can easily access everything they need to succeed. End point assessments shouldn’t be there to “catch people out”. I feel that apprentices have previously been looked at in quite derogatory terms, like, “oh, but they’re just an apprentice”. Many people still associate them with traditional trades like bricklaying or hairdressing, but in reality, apprenticeships are a vital avenue for vocational learners in all kinds of sectors who might not excel in academia but thrive in the workplace.   

With tools like EPA Pro, apprentices can track their progress, review support materials, and access resources as they work through their qualifications. We’re always looking for ways to improve the experience, and we welcome feedback from both apprentices and employers to ensure that we’re meeting their needs. 

How is FutureQuals adapting to changes in the workforce and what are your goals for 2025? 

We’re always looking for ways to innovate and improve what we do. We’re focusing on strengthening our existing partnerships and embracing new technologies that can enhance the assessment process. 

In 2025, our goal is to continue adapting and evolving to meet the needs of the industries we work in. Whether that’s through expanding our knowledge base, improving our technology stack, or finding new ways to support apprentices, we’re committed to staying at the forefront of the apprenticeship space. 

Finally, how does EPA Pro help FutureQuals achieve its goals? 

EPA Pro has been a game changer for us. Before we implemented it, we were dealing with a lot of manual admin, which was a huge burden. Now, it’s streamlined everything for us. The platform has made managing apprentices, scheduling assessments, and tracking progress so much easier. 

As a result, the team can focus more on delivering a high-quality experience for our apprentices and customers, rather than getting bogged down in administrative tasks. It’s also given our customers more transparency, allowing them to access their apprentice’s progress whenever they need it. EPA Pro has definitely helped us become more efficient and effective. 

Thank you Elizabeth for your time!  

If you, like Elizabeth and the team at FutureQuals, are committed to providing fair, robust end-point assessments to apprentices, epaPRO can make your job a lot easier. The platform streamlines the EPA process, bringing all of your essential functions into a single, intuitive platform. If you want to see how it could work at your Training Provider, all you need to do is book a short demo to see it in action.