Trailblazer Assessments First

Five scaffolding apprentices have become the first cohort in the UK to successfully complete their Scaffolding Trailblazer End Point Assessment (EPA) at NETA Training in Teesside.

Michael Allan, an experienced CISRS instructor of JMA Contract Services, put the group through their paces over the 2-day assessment, during which the delegates had to successfully erect a small structure individually, erect a Truss out scaffold as part of a group and pass a scaffolding theory test.

The delegates were required to read the drawings, work out materials lists and follow Risk Assessments and Methods Statements related to the exercises.

The EPA has originally been scheduled for the spring, but was unable to take place due to the Corona pandemic but also as an External Quality Assurance (EQA) body had not been appointed until recent months.

Mr Allan said: “Although this was the first ever Scaffolding EPA, we have been carrying out Skills tests associated with the CISRS core scheme for many years, as such I was pretty confident the format would work.

“The lads were understandably a little nervous, particularly when they heard that CISRS Scheme Manager was coming to the Centre to see how things went, but they did well with both the individual and group structures and all them came through successfully.”

Sean Johnston Commercial Training Manager for NETA said: “We are really pleased to have got the first group of Scaffolding Apprentices through their End Point Assessment, albeit a few months later than we had originally planned.

“We would like to thank Michael and JMA for a thoroughly professional job, I am sure the group are very pleased and possibly a little relieved to have successfully completed the programme. We hope they go onto to have a long, safe and successful career in scaffolding for years to come.”

The original Scaffolding apprenticeship Framework has been withdrawn in England as of September, as such all future apprentices will be following the trailblazer programme. There are three other End Point Assessment Organisations in place, which should ensure that providers across the country can achieve timely completions for their apprentice cohorts.