EPA Guide

About this package

EPA Guide explains the final assessment stage of the Level 5 People Professional apprenticeship. It helps learners understand how to demonstrate the knowledge, skills and behaviours developed through their training and workplace practice. The package introduces the purpose of independent assessment, the journey from gateway to results, and the assessment methods and grading requirements learners need to prepare for.

Gateway preparation is a central part of the guide. Learners review employer sign-off, the required CIPD unit achievements, portfolio evidence, the evidence matrix and the signed authenticity statement. The content also explains the presentation scoping brief and how it establishes the topic for the presentation. Guidance on framing a relevant workplace issue, proposed approach and expected outcomes helps learners give their preparation a clear organisational focus.

The presentation and questioning section covers assessment timings, preparation and submission requirements, and what to expect from assessor questions. The portfolio section explains how to select and organise real workplace evidence, map it to the required knowledge, skills and behaviours, and make supporting material easy to locate. It makes an important distinction: the portfolio is not graded separately, but it informs the questions asked during the professional discussion. Learners are encouraged to identify gaps and prepare examples that explain their contribution, decisions and professional practice.

The guide then addresses the professional discussion across business acumen, people practice, commercial drive, culture and behaviour, and digital working. It explains how learners can use their portfolio to support clear, relevant answers. The final section covers 5CO03, Professional behaviours and valuing people, which must be started and completed after gateway and passed for successful completion. Video content accompanies the first five sections. Together, these areas support a practical preparation plan while distinguishing the requirements for each assessment component.

Who it’s for

This package suits Level 5 People Professional apprentices preparing for gateway and end-point assessment. It is also useful to tutors and workplace supporters helping learners organise evidence and plan their assessment preparation.

What’s covered

1. End-Point Assessment Overview

   Introduces EPA as the independent final assessment of an apprentice’s knowledge, skills and behaviours. Explains the journey through on-programme learning, gateway, the EPA period and the final result.

2. Gateway and Your Presentation Scoping Brief

   Sets out the gateway checklist, including employer sign-off, required CIPD units, portfolio evidence, the evidence matrix and authenticity statement. Covers the 450–550-word presentation scoping brief and explains why 5CO03 must not be submitted before gateway.

3. Presentation and Questioning

   Explains the approved presentation topic, preparation period, slide submission requirements and assessment arrangements. Covers the 50-minute assessment, comprising approximately 20 minutes of presentation and 30 minutes of questions, and the Fail, Pass and Distinction grades.

4. Building your Portfolio of Evidence

   Explains how real workplace evidence supports the professional discussion without being graded separately. Covers organising evidence by assessment themes, mapping it to knowledge, skills and behaviours, and submitting the portfolio with its evidence matrix and authenticity statement at gateway.

5. Professional Discussion

   Prepares learners for the 75-minute discussion and questions across business acumen, people practice, commercial drive, culture and behaviour, and digital working. Explains how the assessor uses the portfolio and how learners can refer to it when answering questions.

6. 5CO03 Assignment

   Explains the written assignment for Professional behaviours and valuing people and its role in both the CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management and the EPA. Covers post-gateway timing, training-centre marking, CIPD moderation and the requirement to achieve a pass.

Learning outcomes

By completing this package, learners can:

• Describe the purpose, structure, assessment methods and grading requirements of the Level 5 People Professional apprenticeship end-point assessment.
• Identify the evidence, documentation and completion requirements needed before progressing through gateway to EPA.
• Explain the requirements for selecting, framing and submitting an appropriate work-based topic through the presentation scoping brief.
• Construct a presentation scoping brief that defines a relevant people-practice issue, proposed methodology, expected outcomes and organisational context.
• Develop a structured portfolio that maps valid workplace evidence to the required knowledge, skills and behaviours assessment criteria.
• Analyse portfolio evidence to identify gaps, strengthen weak examples and ensure each item demonstrates the required level of professional practice.
• Explain how to prepare for and participate effectively in the professional discussion, using portfolio and workplace evidence to support clear, relevant responses.
• Evaluate personal readiness for each EPA component and formulate an action plan to address outstanding evidence, knowledge or skills requirements.
• Explain the requirement to pass 5CO03 after gateway and how its assessment and achievement affect successful completion of the apprenticeship.

Frequently asked questions

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