Will you lend your experience to support the next generation of BEMS Controls Engineers?

With over 180 apprentices on programme, the demand for places on the BEMS Controls Engineer Apprenticeship has been far greater than ever envisaged and now, with the first cohort approaching Gateway this summer, BCIA is calling on its members to help build a robust End Point Assessment process.

Become a BEMS Controls Engineer Assessor

The End Point Assessment Organisation(s) will appoint qualified End Point Assessors to review Apprentice delegates on the published Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours in the Apprenticeship Standard. The End Point Assessors will be buddied up with technical – or industry – assessors who have the in depth technical knowledge of the BEMS industry to support and advise the qualified End Point Assessor in their collation of assessment feedback to arrive at an assessment grade for the required project, presentation and questioning, as well as the required practical observation and questioning. This is all with the intention of helping the apprentice have the best possible chance of achieving a successful outcome for the BEMS Controls Engineer, Level 4 Apprenticeship Standard.

What will it involve?

As an Industry Assessor, will need to be able to commit to completing a minimum of six assessments per year. The assessments will usually be held face-to-face at the normal place of work of the apprentice. You will be involved throughout the EPA journey, initially signing off the project subject, title and scope to confirm its suitability in agreement with the apprentice and employer at the gateway. Around three months later, the apprentice will submit their 4,500-word project and you will be required to mark this in line with a defined marking scheme. At least two weeks later, on a mutually convenient date, you will be required to attend an assessment day where the apprentice will deliver a presentation, following which you will ask a series of questions. The remainder of the assessment day will consist of a practical observation of the apprentice at work, during which you are able to ask open questions to allow the apprentice to demonstrate their underpinning knowledge. You will be supported throughout the assessment by a qualified End Point Assessor to ensure delivery of robust and consistent assessments validated by complete and accurate assessment records.

You will be required to complete induction and training before undertaking assessments, which is generally half a day, and there will be standardisation and update training at least once a year.

Additionally, there is likely to be the opportunity to support the End Point Assessment Organisation in its development of relevant technical questions to be included in the assessment process.

It is anticipated that the assessor would need to dedicate 14 hours to complete the EPA of each apprentice (up to 7 hours on site, face-to-face assessment for the practical observation and presentation and questioning, then up to 7 hours of remote work to sign off the project subject, title and scope; mark the project report; and prepare for the face to face assessment day).

What will I need to become an industry Assessor?

Industry Assessors will need the following essential experience:

• Experience of designing, installing, commissioning, servicing and maintaining the range of systems and work activities demonstrated within the BEMS Controls Engineer Apprenticeship Specification (insert link)

• Be recognised as an experienced specialist in BEMS Controls supported by a professional CV and must have recent relevant experience either at or above the level of the Standard.

In addition, it would be desirable for an Industry Assessor to hold one of the following:

• Be a CIBSE Member or Fellow

• Be an IET Member of Fellow

• Be an IMechE Member or Fellow

• Be an Incorporated Chartered Engineer

• Hold the BCIA Advanced Technical Certificate

Benefits and payment

By far, the greatest benefit of being an Industry Assessor is lending your knowledge and expertise to that of the qualifying apprentices, helping them to successfully complete their apprenticeship and become confident BEMS Engineers committed to the sector. Assessors will be ensuring the ongoing success of the apprenticeship by applying high quality, robust and consistent standards to the assessment of apprentices, in turn building the reputation and regard placed on the apprenticeship as an industry qualification with employers.

Assessors may also have the opportunity to undertake formal Assessor qualifications and there will be a lot of CPD opportunities in areas such as Equality & Diversity, Safeguarding, Prevent and British Values.

All roles are self-employed and contracted on a freelance basis and an Assessor will receive a payment per completed assessment.

Assessors will require an enhanced DBS that will be paid for by the End Point Assessment Organisation/s, but you will need to agree to this being undertaken.

Each EPAO will set their own rates of remuneration but an assessor can expect to receive a payment in the region of £700 for each assessment completed.

A Golden Hello!

To support the industry and the ongoing growth of the BEMS Controls Engineer Apprenticeship, BCIA is supporting the End Point Assessment Organisations to identify and onboard highly experienced industry assessors. BCIA will offer up to 12 candidates a ‘Golden Hello’ as a thank you for giving back to the industry. We ideally need to achieve a geographical spread of Assessors across England to both minimise travel and to reduce the chances of conflicts of interest arising.

Successful candidates as part of the BCIA Golden Hello scheme will be able to select one of the following:

Training credits

A credit of £100 for every assessment completed within the first 12 months, to be used against BCIA training or against the cost of the Experienced Worker Assessment (EWA). Capped at a maximum of six assessments completed in the first 12 months.

Membership Discount

A discount of £500 off the next full years membership, once at least 3 assessments have been completed.

Golden Welcome

A ‘bonus’ payment of £500 that can be paid to a company/individual of used as a credit off BCIA membership or services, training, or EWA. No minimum tie into the number of assessments completed.

How do I apply?

Please send your CV in confidence along with a short statement or cover letter detailing why the role of Industry Assessor appeals to you to catherinew@feta.co.uk

Please note your statement and CV will be shared with approved EPAO’s.